Cal Poly Pomona women’s soccer team wins NCAA Division II national championship – San Bernardino Sun

The West is the best again.

Tara Oper scored the equalizer in the first half and also earned the penalty kick that led to Marisa Salazar’s game-clinching goal in the opening minutes of the second half as the Cal Poly Pomona women’s soccer team rallied for a 2-1 victory over Minnesota State-Mankato in the NCAA Division II championship game Sunday at the Matthews Sportsplex in North Carolina.

This is the third consecutive season where the West Region champion has won the national title. Western Washington won the championship in 2022 and Point Loma won the title last year. It is the first national championship for the Cal Poly Pomona women’s soccer program, the 15th overall for the university and the first since men’s basketball won in 2010.

Cal Poly Pomona (22-1-2) had the lion’s share of possession early before Minnesota State scored against the run of play in the ninth minute of the game. Avery Korsching’s corner was blocked by Cal Poly Pomona goalkeeper Bella Hara, but the ball fell to the foot of Courtney Kovacs, who put the ball over Hara’s head and into the back of the net .

It was the first time in a month that Cal Poly Pomona had trailed and only the fifth game the Broncos faced a deficit.

Cal Poly Pomona continued to produce quality scoring chances in the first half, and the Broncos tied the score in the 23rd minute. Georgia Rink replaced injured left-back Lindsay Sung and quickly made an impact. She sent a long ball forward and Oper made light contact with her toe to redirect the ball past Minnesota State goalkeeper Clare Longueville.

“I think our team went through times this season where they were struggling, and what got them to this point in the season was their resiliency,” Cal Poly Pomona coach Jay Mason said. , about his team’s rebound. after conceding the first goal. “I mean, they never give up, they don’t tend to get overwhelmed by situations and they just keep playing and generating opportunities.”

Oper, a senior forward who graduated from Arlington High School, was a handful for Minnesota State’s defenders all game. And, in the 47th minute, Oper collected the ball in the penalty area and was brought down by Lucy Weninger for a penalty.

Salazar stepped up and fired a shot inside the left post and past Longueville to give the Broncos a 2-1 advantage.

Sunday’s championship game was the first time Minnesota State allowed more than one goal in a game this season.

Mason said the early goal in the second half was crucial.

“I think it gives us a little momentum,” he said. “I think there are a lot of changes throughout the games, and we came out aggressive. I’m really proud of Tara because she was able to keep some composure, go after these players and create this opportunity.

“I thought the PK decision was a good one,” Mason added. “I think they had seen Vanessa (Cruz) take a PK, and Marisa stepped in and buried it for us. That’s kind of what we wanted these guys to do from day one. It’s a collaborative experience…and the responsibility of making decisions like this is why we’re sitting here today with the championship trophy.

Minnesota State (18-2-7) found some offensive rhythm in the second half and nearly tied it.

The Mavericks nearly scored on another free kick in the 57th minute, but Maddix Archer’s volley from inside the box rattled the post. Korsching had a good look 4 minutes later, but his shot from the top skimmed the top of the crossbar.

Salazar nearly doubled Cal Poly Pomona’s lead in the 76th minute, but his shot after a cutback also pierced the post.

Minnesota State controlled the action down the stretch, while Cal Poly Pomona focused on protecting that lead. But the Mavericks were unable to create scoring chances in the final third and never seriously challenged Hara.

“I think the trust in each other to clear the ball and do whatever it takes helped,” senior midfielder Autumn Burnett said of those final minutes. “10 minutes left, the national championship is on the line. We really stuck together no matter what.” … We were all together and believed in each other.

Cal Poly Pomona topped Minnesota State 23-8 and also had a 7-4 lead on penalties in Sunday’s championship game.