By: Delanie Gearing, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
POMONA, Calif. – In 1999, Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer made history. They changed the game for the Broncos and set the precedent for every team that would come after.
On December 4th, 1999, the Broncos faced Franklin Pierce University in the NCAA Division II final match. It was the furthest a team had ever advanced in the postseason, marking a defining moment in the program's history. The 1999 team was also the first to win a CCAA Conference Championship and the first to secure the West Regional Championship. These trailblazing athletes left a lasting impact on the program, and some, like Ruth Van't Land and Katie Kreps, still hold top spots in the record books. Ruth Van't Land remains at the top for most goals, assists, points, shots, game-winning goals, and hat tricks in a season, and was inducted into the Cal Poly Pomona Hall of Fame in 2015. Katie Kreps, a legendary goalkeeper, still holds records for shutouts and minutes in goal.
Fast-forward to the present day, the 2024 Cal Poly Pomona Women's Soccer team has set their sights on making their own mark in history. Coming into the season, the team embraced the motto: "99."
"In the beginning of the season, we wanted something that we could look back on in little moments. The idea behind is that if you give your 99, someone else will be there to pick up your 1 percent," said senior midfielder Auburn Burnett. "In little moments, such as before a game, we will say '99 and 1' to know that no matter your role on the team or who you are as a player, someone around you will have an extra percent for you. So as long as you give your 99, you will be at 100 no matter whether you are on or off the field."
The team's focus of unity and determination has been evident all season long. As senior goalkeeper Bella Hara explained, "The 1999 team comes to mind, especially with the season we have had. We have used them as an inspiration because they had grit and never stopped until they made it to the top stage in the nation."
This season has been a record-breaking one for the Broncos. They defeated the No. 1 ranked team for the first time in program history—twice. The team also set new records for wins, goals, assists, points, shots, and more. Additionally, the Broncos captured the CCAA Tournament Championship and the West Region Championship, both for the second time in program history, with the first victories occurring in 1999. But, what truly sets this team apart from every other in program history?
Senior defender Bella Anderson explained, "The people and the chemistry have made this year so special. I feel like you can laugh with every single one of our teammates." Burnett added, "I think this year especially, everyone has bought into our goals and what we are trying to accomplish. It isn't necessarily always serious, we are able to have a good time and I think that's what brings us really close together." When reflecting on the team's growth and mentality, senior forward Tara Oper shared, "We have been present in the moment and taken it game by game." Hara echoed that sentiment: "We are the loudest team in any room. You can tell that we love each other, and I think that says a lot about our culture."
As the team now advances to the Final Four, their collective and individual goals are clear. "Our goal is to maintain our style of play and achieve what we came here to do," said Hara. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so one of our goals as a team is to enjoy the moment and be present in it," Burnett added. "Especially for the seniors, and this being our last time playing together, our goal is to enjoy every moment we have with each other—at the hotel, at dinners, at practice, at games—and to take it all in," said Oper.
For some of the graduating seniors, being part of this program has meant much more than just playing soccer. "I transferred in my sophomore year, and I was kind of broken and I hated soccer. These past few years have been amazing. Being part of Bronco soccer has helped me regain my love of the sport," said Oper. Senior forward Alexis Macias also reflected on her time at Cal Poly Pomona—here, the team was driven, focused on achieving goals together, and committed to a higher level of competition. Hara, who also transferred into the program, said, "I previously felt like there was so much anxiety around competition, like I was always fighting for a spot. Coming here, I feel like coach Jay and everyone have believed in me and placed a lot of energy and confidence within me that I needed to take my game to the next level."
As the Broncos head into the Final Four, they carry with them the legacy of those who came before them, the unity they've built this season, and a shared determination to achieve something historic. The journey is far from over, but one thing is certain: this team is ready to make its own mark in history.
Final Four:
The Broncos will face Franklin Pierce University on Friday, December 13th at 3:00 PM PST (6:00 PM EST) in the NCAA Division II Semifinal match.
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