Seven Broncos Earn All-CCAA Honors, Mason Named CCAA Coach of the Year
By: Alex Kline, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
ALISO VIEJO, CA – Seven Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer student-athletes earned All-CCAA honors on Tuesday afternoon, leading the entire conference with the most honorees. The 2023 regular season champions had three First Team selections – Tara Oper, Auburn Burnett, and Liberty Ortiz – as well as two Second Team selections in Bella Hara and Jaclyn Cuevas. Marisa Salazar and Bella Anderson were also recognized as honorable mentions.
For the second time in his career, Jay Mason was named CCAA Coach of the Year. Mason previously earned the award in 2019 after he led the Broncos to a 13-5-3 third-place finish with a trip to the NCAA First Round. This year, Mason's squad put together its third 10-win season since he took the helm in 2016. Mason is now the only coach in CPP soccer history, men's or women's, to win the award multiple times.
Enough said 🤷♂️ @JayMason33 pic.twitter.com/k5AH2tiXxc
— Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer (@cppwsoccer) November 7, 2023
Tara Oper – All-CCAA First Team
Oper was a key force in the Broncos' offense this season, scoring six goals with four assists, ranking Top 10 in the CCAA in goals, assists, game-winning goals, and points. Oper finished the regular season having started in all 17 games for the Broncos, playing a total of 1,316 minutes.
— Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer (@cppwsoccer) November 7, 2023
Auburn Burnett – All-CCAA First Team
Burnett started in 14 of the 17 games she appeared in, playing a total of 1,234 minutes while rankings second on the team with four assists on the season. Her four assists ranks ninth in the CCAA this season.
— Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer (@cppwsoccer) November 7, 2023
Liberty Ortiz – All-CCAA First Team
Ortiz started in all 16 games she appeared in this season, totaling 1,393 minutes with one assist. The Chino Hills native was stellar on defense, helping the Broncos to six shutouts and outscoring opponents 22-12 in games she appeared in.
— Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer (@cppwsoccer) November 7, 2023
Bella Hara – All-CCAA Second Team
Hara was one of just five Broncos to start in all 17 games this season, playing every single minute in goal for the Green & Gold. This season, Hara recorded 34 saves with 13 goals allowed, good for a .723 save percentage. The San Diego native also posted six shutouts and was named two-time CCAA Defensive Player of the Week. She ranks Top 10 in the conference in fewest goals against, saves, and shutouts.
— Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer (@cppwsoccer) November 7, 2023
Jaclyn Cuevas – All-CCAA Second Team
Cuevas started in 16 of the 17 games she appeared in, leading both the first-place Broncos and the CCAA with eight goals on the season. Her 18 points ranks fourth in the conference, while her four game-winning goals is also tied for most in the entire CCAA.
— Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer (@cppwsoccer) November 7, 2023
Marisa Salazar – All-CCAA Honorable Mention
Salazar was also one of the five Broncos to start in every single game this season, scoring two goals and logging 1,185 minutes on the pitch. The midfielder out of Paramount, CA was also named All-CCAA First Team last season.
— Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer (@cppwsoccer) November 7, 2023
Bella Anderson – All-CCAA Honorable Mention
Anderson started in all 17 games she appeared in, logging the most minutes on the team, other than Hara, with 1,505. Her presence on defense helped the Broncos to six shutouts while outscoring opponents 23-13.
— Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer (@cppwsoccer) November 7, 2023
Up Next
The Broncos now look ahead to the CCAA Tournament, where they will face Cal Poly Humboldt in the semifinals this Friday at 7:00 PM. This year's tournament will be hosted by Cal State Monterey Bay in Seaside, CA at Cardinale Stadium. You can catch the games on the CCAA Network.
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