By Anthony Gutierrez, September 23, 2025
Cal Poly Pomona senior defender Liberty Ortiz helped her team to four wins, earning the first CCAA Women’s Soccer Defensive Player of the Week award of the 2025 season.
Ortiz led the defense as the No.1 ranked defending national champions breezed past PacWest opponents, outscoring teams 7-2 and propelling the start of their season with a 4-0 record.
Ortiz played a major role in the backfield as CPP allowed four shots on goal, while only giving up two. She logged 323 minutes between the four games, including a full 90 in their 3-1 win over Azusa Pacific University Sept. 4.
“It was really exciting,” Ortiz said. “I didn’t get to play or train all spring or summer, so I just started getting back into it. I put in a lot of work to get back on the field. It was motivating and rewarding.”
For Ortiz, the award was meaningful, representing not just a recognition of her skills but the representation of a long road back from a hip injury that made it difficult for Ortiz to walk and sidelined her for around seven months.
“Considering she was out seven months with her injury, it made me very happy to see her get that award to start the season,” said head coach Jay Mason. “I know she’s been working very hard.”
Ortiz was quick to praise her teammates for the award, crediting them for making the team’s defense one of its top strengths.
“Defense can’t be done with one person,” Ortiz said. “Communication has been a big thing we’ve been working on, and that’s what keeps our back line together. Me being named CCAA Defensive Player of the Week just displayed how well the group did.”
Soccer has been much more than just a sport to Ortiz. Growing up in Chino Hills, she was born into a soccer family. Her father played at APU and Cal State Fullerton, and he also coached at APU after his playing days.
Ortiz credited both of her parents for shaping her early passion for the game along with setting the standard for hard work and discipline.
“Both of parents played, and my dad always motivated me,” Ortiz said.
With those traits and passion for the game, they led Ortiz to CPP, where she really valued staying close to home while competing at a high level.
“Lib grew up in a soccer family, her dad was very involved, and she grew up in a small area where schools weren’t really recognizing her,” Mason said. “I’m just glad we were able to get her here to the program.”
Ortiz describes her style of play as a defender as aggressive, adding she likes to go in for tackles and be physical. This style, paired with her work ethic on and off the field, makes her a leader on the field, Mason said.
“Her resilience is one of the things that make her stand out,” Mason said. “Many of the younger players see that.”
As a reigning national champion with consecutive All-CCAA First Team honors, Ortiz embraces her leadership role and responsibility.
“We as a team need to be bought in every single day,” Ortiz said. “If I’m not bought in every single day, I can’t expect that of the person next to me. So, I try to lead by example and just put it all out there.”
Defender Ally Henry had high praises for her teammate and the way she carries herself and makes sacrifices for the team.
“She has that experience, she’s confident, she’s a great leader, and she’s going to make those gritty tackles and put her body on the line for the team,” Henry said.
The Broncos hope to achieve another successful season built on the culture players like Ortiz have created, building towards their goal day by day with consistency and determination. The Broncos look forward to their next matchup against Fort Lewis on Sept. 18, where they will take on the Skyhawks at 6 p.m. at Kellogg Stadium.
Feature image courtesy of the CCAA
