By: Delanie Gearing, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications
ALISO VIEJO, Calif. - Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer continued its remarkable run of success, earning six All-CCAA honors as announced by the conference on Tuesday afternoon. The Broncos, who claimed their third straight CCAA regular season title, once again proved to be a powerhouse on both ends of the pitch.
For the second consecutive year,
Vanessa Cruz was named CCAA Player of the Year and CCAA Forward of the Year. The senior forward from Oceanside, Calif., has been the spark of the Broncos' attack, leading the reigning national champions. She currently leads the CCAA with 11 goals, 24 points, and 5 game-winning goals.
Liberty Ortiz, a senior defender from Chino Hills, Calif., was named CCAA Defender of the Year. This marks her fourth straight year earning All-CCAA recognition, having previously been selected to the First Team twice and the Second Team once. So far this season, she has played 1,460 minutes, contributed to 9 shutouts, and earned 2 CCAA Athlete of the Week honors.
Jenna Tetrault, a redshirt freshman goalkeeper from Redlands, Calif., was honored as the CCAA Goalkeeper of the Year. In her first season competing at the collegiate level, so far this season she has played 1,600 minutes, recorded 8 shutouts, and made 44 saves.
Three of the four major award winners, Cruz, Ortiz, and Tetrault, earned spots on the All-CCAA First Team. Joining them is
Marisa Salazar, who collected her fourth career All-CCAA recognition. Salazar has now earned First Team, Second Team, and Honorable Mention honors during her decorated four-year career. So far this season, she has 5 goals, 3 assists, and 1 CCAA Athlete of the Week honor.
Earning Honorable Mention recognition were
Kiarra D'Arcangelo, who received her first career All-CCAA recognition, and
Angelina Rivas, who was named Honorable Mention for the second straight year.
The No. 4 nationally ranked Broncos look to carry their momentum into the postseason as they prepare for the CCAA Tournament, taking place November 14 and 16 in Seaside, Calif. Cal Poly Pomona, the reigning CCAA Tournament Champions, will face Cal Poly Humboldt in the semifinals on Friday, November 14 at 7:30 PM PST. The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, November 16 at 3:00 PM. The Broncos are making their fourth consecutive CCAA Tournament appearance and 17th in program history as they aim to defend their conference title and secure another trip to the national stage.
The No. 1 regionally ranked and defending NCAA National Champion Broncos will await their postseason fate during the NCAA Selection Show on Monday, November 17 at 3:30 PM PST. Cal Poly Pomona looks to make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament and continue it's most dominant era in program history.