By Cesar Rivas, November 4, 2025
Two wonder goals for the Lumberjacks were the difference in a 2-2 tie in the 24th edition of the women’s soccer Cal Poly Clash between Cal Poly Pomona and Cal Poly Humboldt Oct. 24.
This is only the second draw in the Cal Poly Clash dating back to 1995. The first was in 2013. The overall record belongs to CPP at 13-9-2. The Broncos entered with a record of 11-1-1 (4-1-1) while Humboldt came in with a record of 5-4-4 ( 3-1-2).
“I mean, it was a competitive game, they scored two great goals,” said head coach Jay Mason. “We didn’t take the chances that we created, and I thought the girls did some positive things with the ball, but it was just little moments.”
The first action of the match came within the first two minutes from a cross by CPP defender Georgia Rink that fell to the feet of forward Vanessa Cruz at the back post. But the shot was saved by Lumberjack goalkeeper Carson Thomson-Terrel.
The Broncos were the first on the scoreboard after forward Marissa Salazar received a long ball in the box from defender Mikaela Marr, drawing a penalty kick in the fifth minute. Cruz stepped up to the penalty spot and placed the ball in the bottom left corner of the net for her ninth goal of the season.
The Lumberjacks responded just four minutes later, with a free kick just outside the right side of the 18-yard box. Midfielder Karsyn Ross hit a perfect curling ball, soaring over the wall and into the top right corner of the net.
“I thought that we went from a moment of winning the ball back, and we weren’t prepared,” Mason said. “And I think that that bothered me, that little moment, but (it was a) great free kick, and (I) give her credit for that.”
The match was all square at 1-1 in just seven minutes of play. For the next 15 minutes, the match evened itself out as both sides were unable to create any threatening chances.
It wasn’t until the Broncos received another penalty kick in the 21st minute when forward Angelina Rivas was shoved to the ground during a free kick. Just like her teammate, Rivas calmly converted the penalty with a shot in the bottom left corner, giving the Broncos a 2-1 lead.
The Broncos held on to their 2-1 lead throughout the rest of the first half.
“I thought it went well in the first half after we got our two PKs, and we capitalized on that,” defender Giselle Samayoa said. “(In the) second half, we kind of slowed down a little bit, but we kept on putting in a fight there.”
The Broncos found themselves on the back foot going into the second, as the Lumberjacks were pressing from the wings and the center of the pitch.
Humboldt earned a free kick just inside the attacking third in the 52nd minute. The pass was square to the middle of the field where defender Josie Wolitzky smashed a rocket from 30 yards out for the equalizer.
“I think the heat of the game kind of just got to us,” Marr said. “Unfortunately, we gave them set pieces to come back and tie the game.”
With the game level at 2-2, the Broncos pressed the Lumberjack back line.
While scoring is one of the hardest things to do, a common theme for the Broncos this season has been not being able to find a go-ahead goal when needed, despite creating a multitude of chances.
“I think there’s a lot of opportunities that we had that we gave up,” Marr said. “I think that just goes to show that it could tie the game, and we could come back and score if we are finishing those chances. It’sreally important that we’re being aggressive in the attacking third and just putting chances away.”
Cruz beat her defender on the right wing in the 56th minute, cutting inside and firing a left-footed curling ball that forced the Lumberjack’s goalie to make an incredible save.
CPP midfielder Abria Smith attempted another shot in the 75th minute after the ball fell to her from a corner kick to the top of the box, but her shot sailed over the bar.
Just a minute later, CPP forward Morgan Huff controlled a long ball and beat a defender in the box. Her shot saved as it went out for a corner that ultimately came to nothing.
CPP oppositions aren’t afraid to sit back and defend with all 11 players behind the ball, since they lead the CCAA with 28 total goals.
“Most teams we’re playing against sit a little bit lower and then they try to counter,” Mason said. “It’s a useful tactic, and I think for us, we just can’t let it frustrate us. But we just have to be a little more ruthless in front of goal.”
While the Broncos’ attack carried on for the remainder of the match, Humboldt held on defensively, so the match ended 2-2. This moves CPP’s record to 11-1-2 (4-1-2) for the 2025 campaign.
The Broncos outshot their opponents 14-5 while also leading in corner kicks 6-0.
Samayoa expressed the importance of having a quick mindset and looking forward to the next match against Cal State East Bay Oct. 26.
“We’re going to come out and put up a fight with them,” Samayoa said. “They told us, ‘We’ll see you next time.’ So we’re expecting a fight and a good win out of it.”
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
