By: Delanie Gearing, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
POMONA, Calif. – The Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer team has made history with two players earning prestigious United Soccer Coaches All-American honors. Vanessa Cruz and Tara Oper have been named to the 2024 NCAA Division II All-America teams, marking a monumental achievement for the program.
Cruz, a junior forward from Oceanside, was named to the First Team, becoming just the fourth Bronco in history to earn this distinction, and the first since Ruth Van't Land in 2000. Cruz's exceptional performance this season earned her multiple accolades, including CCAA Player of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, and Forward of the Year. She was also named to the All-CCAA First Team, D2CCA All-West Region First Team, and United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team. Cruz has been a dominant force on the field, scoring 11 goals and contributing 4 assists, including 5 game-winning goals. One of the highlights of her season was a hat trick in the win over Cal State East Bay. Cruz has started in all 23 matches this season, cementing her place as one of the premier forwards in the country.
Oper, a senior forward from Riverside, earned a spot on the Third Team, becoming just the second Bronco in program history to be named to the All-America Third Team. Oper's contributions have been instrumental to the team's success this season, with 7 goals and 11 assists. She was also named to the All-CCAA First Team, D2CCA All-West Region First Team, and United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team. Oper's leadership and playmaking abilities were on full display, including scoring the game-winning goal against No. 1-ranked Point Loma, marking the first-ever win for the Broncos over a top-ranked opponent. Like Cruz, Oper has started in all 23 matches, and her consistency and clutch performances have been key to the team's success.
Together, Cruz and Oper are part of a select group of five women's soccer Broncos who have earned All-American honors, underscoring the program's continued excellence at the national level.
Editor's Note
At the time of release, Oper was announced to the United Soccer Coaches Third Team All-American. Following the national championship win and being named national player of the year, Oper was changed to a First Team All-American.
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