POMONA, Calif. – Heading into his first season at the helm of the Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer program, new head coach Jay Mason has signed 13 newcomers to the Broncos' 2016 squad. There are 21 returners from the 2015 team that finished the season 9-7-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Championship Tournament.
 
Joni Gener
Joni Gener arrives at CPP as a junior transfer from Citrus College and is expected to step into roles at both the defender and forward positions. "Joni is a very athletic player that brings energy and enthusiasm to each and every moment of the game," said Mason. "She will provide an immediate impact with her speed and athleticism."  
 
Shayna Larson
A forward for Slammers FC, a club located in Newport Beach, Shayna Larson will be making her collegiate debut as a freshman in 2016. On her performance, her Slammers coach Pat O'Brien said "Shayna has always found a way to find the net. Her read on the game is outstanding, she needs to be on the field because success will follow. I am excited for Shayna and Cal Poly Pomona in 2016 and I believe the best is yet to come in her college career."
 
Hannah Havelind
Hannah Havelind will be returning home after spending her first two college seasons at Chandler-Gilbert Community College in Arizona. A Chino Hills native, the junior is expected to step into a role at midfield on the 2016 Broncos' squad. She was twice named an All-ACCAC and All-Region player. She earned her AA in May. "Hannah is a dynamic attacking midfielder that brings speed and aggression to the game," said Mason. "She will be an impact to our midfield's ability to break down defenses."
 
Idalys Martinez
The lone sophomore transfer into CPP, Idalys Martinez comes to the Broncos from La Verne. She will likely fill roles as both a defender and midfielder. Lauryn Pehanich, her coach at La Verne had this to say; "She is very strong, athletic, and good in the air. She was a staple for us in the center back position and played every minute of every game." A native of Fontana, Martinez attended Etiwanda High School.   
 
Amanda Duran
One of three freshman coming to the Broncos from LA Premier FC, Amanda Duran is a forward and has been a proven threat on the field. "A tenacious and explosive forward, Amanda is built for the rigors of collegiate soccer," said her club coach Barry Ritson. "She is dangerous in 1v1 situations and strikes the ball well with both feet and was a big player for the nationally ranked LAPFC GU18s. She is equipped to be an important player in a very tough conference."
 
Janay Varela
The second newcomer to CPP to have played for LA Premier FC, Janay Varela will be a freshman goalkeeper for the Green and Gold. She was also coached by Barry Ritson at LA Premier. "An agile goalkeeper and brave shot-stopper," said Ritson, "Janay has the tools to make important saves in important game moments. She is an avid trainer and is committed to maximizing her experience after leaving LA Premier."
 
Daniela Paiz
The final athlete from LA Premier, Daniela Paiz will fill two roles as needed for the Broncos, one at defender, and one at midfield. When asked of her future role with the Broncos, Jay Mason said; "Daniela is a quick, tough, and versatile player with very good technical capacity.  Her fitness and speed will provide a challenge for opponents."
 
Tasha Inong
One of seven junior transfers onto the Broncos' squad for 2016, Tasha Inong heads to CPP after a two-year career at Peninsula College in Port Angeles, Wash. For the Pirates, she ranked third on the team with nine goals scored in 2015. "Tasha's intensity and toughness will bring another level to our team's ability to put teams under pressure," said Mason. "She has the ability to hurt teams athletically and technically.  Her experience will be a great asset to our team and midfield core."
 
Emily Sanchez
A pair of newcomers for the Broncos were recruited from just minutes away from CPP's campus. Emily Sanchez was a defender for Mt. SAC and will be filling the same role for the Green and Gold in 2016. "Emily will bring an athletic component to our back line that will be very difficult for teams to break down," said Mason. "Her speed, tactical awareness, and determination will be an immediate impact here at CPP.   I see Emily competing for playing time right away in an already talented defensive group."
 
Nicolette Seargeant
The other recruit from Mt. SAC is Nicolette Seargeant, she will be arriving at CPP as a junior forward. Seargeant scored four goals and had a pair of assists in her 2015 season as a Mountie. "Nicolette is a dynamic player with a work ethic that is second to none," said Mason. "Her ability to combine and attack players 1v1 will bring an exciting element to our front line."
 
Jaela Cruz
The final freshman of the incoming class is Jaela Cruz. She is a defender who most recently played for Crossfire Elite Clubs National League (ECNL). Her desire to win and ability on field make her a terrific teammate. "Jaela will bring a toughness and desire to win!" said Crossfire coach Rich Reece. "She is a fantastic teammate that brings a positive energy to everything she does. I believe Jaela will be a huge sucess at CPP."
 
Manuela Ramirez
Arriving at CPP as a junior midfielder, Manuela Ramirez started her collegiate career at Orange Coast College. She started in 21 of the team's 22 games in 2015 and tallied a pair of assists while helping the Pirates to shut out the opposition 12 times. "Manuela brings a physical presence that will be felt immediately in our midfield," said Mason. "She is technically able to find seams and direct traffic with ease."
 
Tirzah Trejo
The final newcomer to the CPP squad for 2016, Tirzah Trejo will put on the Green and Gold after two years at San Bernardino Valley College. With her on defense and starting 20 of the team's 21 games, the Wolverines proceeded to shutout the opponent 13 times. "Tirzah's speed and athleticism will allow her to shut down opponents, and be a threat in transition," said her SBVC coach Kristin Hauge. "Hard worker with a great team attitude!"
 
2016 Season
A new era of Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer will officially begin on Thursday, Sept. 1 at Kellogg Field.

After being hired in February, head coach Jay Mason enters his first season with the Broncos. The 2016 schedule has been released and CPP will play four non-conference games before starting California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) action.

The season opener at Kellogg Field will be against Point Loma with a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Sea Lions are one of three PacWest opponents for the Broncos in 2016.

The first weekend at Kellogg Field will conclude with an 11 a.m. showdown on Sept. 4 against Grand Valley State. The Lakers have won three-consecutive NCAA Division II national titles and five in program history.