By Ashanti Velez, September 30, 2025
Defender Ally Henry led the Cal Poly Pomona women’s soccer team to a 3-1 victory over Fort Lewis, scoring two out of the three shots made by the Broncos on Sept. 18, securing the team’s undefeated season 5-0.
The match started slow with both teams wanting to keep possession of the ball. Senior midfielder Marisa Salazar took an early shot from the top of the box, but it was saved by Fort Lewis goalkeeper Trinity Lujan.
A header by forward Vanessa Cruz and was shot out by Lujan while defender Liberty Ortiz displayed her dominance in the backline refusing to let the ball get past her and quickly redirecting it back towards the seahawks side.
Henry scored the opening goal 15 minutes into the game, and her first collegiate goal off a corner kick, setting the tone for the rest of the match.
“Ally’s playing with a lot of confidence right now, we’re really proud of her,” head coach Jay Mason said. “I know she’s been through some, you know, obviously being at her old school, coming to a new one and how challenging that can be. I’m happy that she’s been able to find a rhythm, find her game.”
Fort Lewis struggled to find the back of the net, and the Broncos maintained their 1-0 advantage heading into halftime.
“The message for us at halftime was to keep our foot down their throats, continue exceeding in what we were doing as far as pressing,” Cruz said. “I think that that’s why we came out on top in the second half.”
Fort Lewis continued to press forward in the second half attempting three bottom center shots, but goalkeeper Jenna Tetrault refused to let anything slip past her.
Henry took her second shot of the game in the 57th minute into the game, converting a free kick to put Fort Lewis down 2-0.
“Honestly, 1-0 games can be dangerous, and so I knew we needed another one,” Henry said. “When the opportunity presented itself for a free kick, and it showed a left foot and angle, I knew how to take it and found the net. Honestly, it was a great moment.”
Cruz followed up with a free kick from just outside the box. Her shot went up and over the wall and smashed into the back of the net, extending the Broncos lead to 3-0.
Defender Kailin Gudewicz assisted a pass to midfielder Kiana Jamerson who scored a goal for Fort Lewis with 15 minutes remaining in the match.
With the Skyhawks on the board, tensions ran high afterward, resulting in two yellow cards being issued to the opposing midfielder Lova Sjolund and midfielder Mia Duncan shortly after.
“I think we always feel a type of way when we get scored on, especially when we’re up three,” Cruz said. “Giving away that one hurts just a little bit because we always want to keep clean shots. I know that’ll help us and benefit us in the future. But I think we’re going to have to take this one with a little bit of patience.”
Feature image courtesy of the CPP Athletics
