Colorado Springs, Colo. - The Cal Poly Pomona Broncos' exceptional season came to a close Thursday night with a narrow 1-0 loss to Florida Tech in the NCAA Division II Semifinal. In a match defined by intensity and discipline, the Broncos controlled long stretches of play, outshooting Florida Tech 15 to 6, but were unable to find the back of the net. Still, the journey to Colorado Springs capped what stands as the second-best season in program history, following last year's unforgettable 2024 National Championship.
Head Coach
Jay Mason reflected on the emotional weight of the moment, emphasizing both the challenge of the stage and the pride he felt for his team. "We knew this stage was going to be a lot of fun, and our group was ready for the challenge. They took their chance and we didn't take ours, and that is the beautiful and painful part of soccer. I am incredibly proud of our team. The perseverance, the resilience, and these leaders beside me were instrumental in keeping us present in everything we did."
The Broncos set the tone early, pressing high and generating quality chances through forwards
Vanessa Cruz and
Kiarra D'Arcangelo, who combined for nine shots and constant pressure in the attacking third. CPP held Florida Tech to just one shot on goal in the first half and entered the locker room confident.
But five minutes into the second half, Florida Tech broke through, converting the match's lone goal. CPP responded immediately with a flurry of opportunities, including a shot from Cruz that rattled off the right post, but the equalizer never came.
Despite the heartbreak, two of the program's seniors reflected on the pride and meaning of their CPP journeys. Cruz, who spent two seasons with the Broncos, described the experience as transformative. "I was not here all four years, just two, but coming in and making a statement felt surreal. Being part of this program has been incredibly special, and I would not have had it any other way."
For four-year veteran
Liberty Ortiz, the emotions ran deep as well. "It is equally bittersweet no matter how long you have been here. The girls impact you the same. We have grown every season, and the program keeps getting better and better. I am so excited to see where it goes from here," she said.
Mason echoed their sentiments while offering perspective on what this team accomplished after graduating 11 players from last year's championship roster. "The difficult part in moments like this is remembering everything these players have done. They had to raise their level, and they did. They carried responsibility with maturity, cared for each other, and stayed connected. I am incredibly proud of this group and where our program stands today."
Carrying the weight of external expectations, something Mason said was "impossible to ignore, even though we tried to stay present," the Broncos delivered a season that included a CCAA regular season title, a West Region championship, and a second straight deep run into the NCAA Tournament. Mason praised the team's ability to exceed the demands placed upon them. "This group had to bear the weight of expectation, and still they performed at a really high level. Once they settled in and enjoyed what they were doing, they embraced the challenge and then some," he said.
Despite the final score, the Broncos walk away having added another defining chapter to a rising national powerhouse. The 2025 season ends at 18-3-3, with back-to-back semifinal appearances and a culture stronger than ever.
The Broncos may have fallen short, but they leave Colorado Springs proud of their accomplishments and with a program built for continued success in the seasons to come.
Bronco Bits:
- Jay Mason is now 100-51-26 as the head coach of the Broncos
- Cal Poly Pomona is now 18-3-3 overall
- Now in its 42nd season, CPP Women's Soccer is 409-305-94 all-time with a 220-147-58 record in CCAA matches
- The broncos are 2-1-0 in the NCAA semifinal match and 14-6-1 all time in the NCAA tournament
