ARCATA, Calif. - The Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer team triumphed 2-0 over Cal State East Bay in the CCAA Tournament Championship game, securing their first CCAA Tournament title since 1999. With the win, the Broncos also earned an automatic bid to the NCAA West Regional Tournament, marking the 200th NCAA appearance in school history.
The Broncos wasted no time asserting their dominance, with Tara Oper putting CPP on the scoreboard just 9 minutes into the match. Oper's goal, assisted by Marisa Salazar, came off a well-placed cross into the box that Oper clinically finished past the East Bay goalkeeper. Oper wasn't done yet, as she netted her second goal of the match in the 81st minute, assisted by Liberty Ortiz, to seal the victory for the Broncos.
Defensively, the Broncos were resolute throughout the match. Goalkeeper Bella Hara was awarded the Defensive MVP of the tournament, making three crucial saves to preserve the shutout. The back line, featuring Bella Anderson, Giselle Samayoa, and Liberty Ortiz, played the entire match without conceding a goal, ensuring CPP's defensive strength stood firm when it mattered most.
In addition to Oper's offensive heroics, several other Broncos were recognized for their standout performances during the tournament. Oper was named the Offensive MVP, while Marisa Salazar, Angelina Rivas, Vanessa Cruz, and Liberty Ortiz were all selected to the All-Tournament Team for their exceptional contributions throughout the championship run.
With the victory, the Broncos not only clinched the CCAA crown but also made a statement ahead of their NCAA tournament run. This was their first conference title in 25 years, and the 200th NCAA appearance in the program's rich history.
CCAA All-Tournament Team
- Tara Oper- Offensive MVP
- Bella Hara- Defensive MVP
- Marisa Salazar
- Angelina Rivas
- Vanessa Cruz
- Liberty Ortiz
Up Next
Having secured a berth into the NCAA Tournament, the Broncos await their postseason ranking in the NCAA Selection Show tomorrow, November 18th at 4:00 PM PST. The show will air on NCAA.com HERE.
Bronco Bits
- Jay Mason is now 77-48-23 as a head coach of the Broncos.
- The Broncos continue their best start in program history with a record of 17-1-2 overall.
- CPP won the CCAA Tournament for the first time since 1999.
- This is the 200th NCAA appearance for the Broncos.
- This will be the Broncos first time in the NCAA postseason since 2019.
- The Broncos tied a program record for most wins in a season at 17.
Latest All Athletics News
- Women’s Basketball Wins Third Straight, Defeat Hope International 75-52Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball cruised to a 75-52 victory at Hope International on Saturday afternoon, improving to 3-1 to start the season. This was just the second meeting all-time between the two teams, the Broncos winning both games on the road.
- Eagles Outscore the Broncos in Home OpenerThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos suffered a narrow 83-79 loss to the Biola Eagles in a hard-fought contest on Saturday. Despite a strong start and key contributions from several players, the Broncos couldn't hold off a late surge from the Eagles, who took control in the final moments.
- Volleyball Secures First Outright CCAA Title in Program History on Dahl’s 100th WinCal Poly Pomona volleyball head coach Traci Dahl collected her 100th win at CPP on Saturday afternoon, defeating San Francisco State by a score of 3-1. With the win, the No. 3 ranked Broncos break the program record for most CCAA wins in a season at 17, while also securing their first outright regular season title in program history.
- No. 23 Cal Poly Pomona Holds Off East Bay to Move Back Into CCAA Tournament Final on SundayHAYWARD, Calif. - Cal Poly Pomona trotted out to a 3-0 advantage by halftime but was made to hang on in the end to eliminate Cal State East Bay, 3-2, in a semifinal match of the 2024 California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Men's Soccer Tournament presented by FloCollege on Friday evening at Pioneer Stadium.
- Broncos' Second-Half Fireworks Secure VictoryThe Cal Poly Pomona Broncos delivered a thrilling second-half performance, overcoming an early deficit to dominate the Stanislaus State Warriors 5-1 in the CCAA Soccer Tournament semifinals.
- Mads Frederiksen Becomes Seventh CPP Elite 13 Award RecipientMads Frederiksen is the recipient of the 2024 men's soccer Elite 13 Award, it was announced before the CCAA Tournament semifinals on Friday afternoon. Frederiksen becomes the seventh Bronco to win the award, after Marisa Salazar also earned the honor for women's soccer just a few hours before in Arcata. It is just the second time multiple CPP student-athletes have received the Elite 13 Award in the same academic year, let alone in the same season and on the same day.