Chance Earns All-America honors

Cal Poly Pomona junior defender rewarded for banner season

POMONA – Another day, another honor for Cal Poly Pomona star defender Tara Chance.

After earning regional recognition earlier, Chance was honored on a national scale Thursday when she was named to the NCAA Division II All-America team by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. Chance (Jr., Alta Loma, Alta Loma HS) earned third-team honors and became only the third woman soccer player from Cal Poly Pomona to earn All-America honors. Ruth Van’t Land-Parkes was named an All-American three times, while Shannon Payne also earned All-America honors.

“This is completely unexpected,” Chance said. “I never, ever thought I’d get that. Coming to Cal Poly Pomona, I always wanted to do it because Ruth got that all the time, but I never thought I’d do it.”

Chance spearheaded a defense that set several school records. The Broncos allowed only 13 goals, which were the fewest permitted in the program’s history and the team’s 0.56 goals against average also set a new standard. Cal Poly Pomona recorded 12 shutouts this past season.

Chance also contributed offensively, scoring the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Azusa Pacific in the season opener.

The All-America award caps a sensational junior season for Chance and added to her impressive list of awards. As a freshman, she earned second-team All-CCAA and All-Far West Region honors and was also named to the All-NCAA Final Four Tournament Team as the Broncos reached the NCAA Division II championship game. As a sophomore, Chance was named to the second-team All-CCAA and All-Far West Region squads.

This season, Chance earned first-team All-CCAA and first-team All-Far West Region honors for the first time. She was also one of the top contenders for the conference Player of the Year award.

“She had an outstanding season and this honor is well deserved,” said Cal Poly Pomona coach Ryan Heise. “She definitely dominated for our back line. She was the main reason why we were one of the best defensive teams in the country.”

The Broncos finished the season with a 16-4-2 record and advanced to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. Cal Poly Pomona also finished second in the CCAA to eventual national champion UC San Diego.

“I’m pleased with how well we did this season. A lot of us were hoping to do better, but it’s tough with San Diego in our conference,” Chance said. “I’m excited about next season. I hope we get some good recruits in because we lost some very good players, but I think we’ll have another good season.”