CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Bronco Sports News

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004

Contact: Paul Helms

(909) 869-2812

 

 

WOMEN’S SOCCER

MEDIA NOTES

 

2004 CPP Record: 5-6-2. CCAA Record: 4-2-2

 

Broncos Return Home For Two Key CCAA Contests: Cal Poly Pomona’s women’s soccer team plays two important California Collegiate Athletic Association contests at home against North Division opponents this week. The Broncos will host Sonoma State on Friday at 4:30 p.m. and then face San Francisco State on Sunday at 3 p.m. With six games remaining in the regular season, Cal Poly Pomona is one point out of a wild-card spot. The two division winners plus two wild-card teams will advance to the CCAA Championship Tournament. The Broncos are coming off another successful season. Cal Poly Pomona finished the 2003 regular season with a flourish and qualified for the CCAA championship tournament for a sixth straight year. The Broncos are the only women’s team to qualify for the conference postseason tournament in each of the sixth years of its existence.

 

Last Week: Cal Poly Pomona had mixed results in California Collegiate Athletic Association play last week. The Broncos posted an impressive 3-0 win over Cal State Stanislaus Friday at Turlock to begin the weekend. Erica Rodriguez (Jr., San Diego, Bonita Vista HS) scored a pair of goals to lead the Broncos. Mary Real (Jr., Upland, Mt. SAC) scored the other goal for Cal Poly Pomona. Those goals were the first for each player this season. Vanessa Richardson (Jr., Upland, Upland HS) made three saves to post the shutout for the Broncos. It was the Broncos’ third straight shutout. Cal State Stanislaus entered the game with seven shutouts and only five goals allowed all season. The Broncos weren’t so fortunate Sunday in Chico when they were dropped a 1-0 decision to the Wildcats. Chico State scored the lone goal late in the first half and made it stand up. Chico State outshot the Broncos 7-6. Richardson made one save for the Broncos.

 

Scouting the Opposition: Cal Poly Pomona is 5-11-1 all-time against Sonoma State. Last season, the Broncos defeated the Seawolves 3-2 at Kellogg Field. Sonoma State is currently second in the CCAA North Division and has a one-point edge over the Broncos in the race for the second and final wildcard. The Broncos hold a 7-5-1 advantage all-time against San Francisco State. In 2003, Cal Poly Pomona beat the Gators, 3-2, at Kellogg Field.

 

Rankings: Cal Poly Pomona does not appear in the NSCAA national rankings. Among California Collegiate Athletic Association programs, UC San Diego is 16th in the nation. Cal State Dominguez Hills received votes, but was not included in the Top-25. Sonoma State is ranked sixth in the West Region.

 

About The Coach: One of the most recognizable names in United States soccer history, Paul Caligiuri is in his third year as Cal Poly Pomona’s head coach. He guided the Broncos to a 10-8-1 record last season and their sixth straight appearance in the California Collegiate Athletic Association championship tournament. Caligiuri was elected to the United States Soccer Hall of Fame earlier this year and was formally inducted into the Hall of Fame on Monday. In his first season as the Broncos’ head coach, Caligiuri guided the Broncos to an 11-6-2 record and into the CCAA Championship Tournament. He has a 26-20-5 overall record with the Broncos. Caligiuri is a former member of the Los Angeles Galaxy and United States National Team member. One of the most memorable moments of his playing career came in 1990 when he scored the game-winning goal – known as the “Goal Heard Round The World” – against Trinidad & Tobago that qualified the U.S. for its first World Cup appearance in 40 years. Caligiuri made 110 game appearances for the United States National Team.

 

Look Who’s Back: Cal Poly Pomona has some talented players returning from its 2003 squad that finished with a 10-8-1 overall record. Leading the list of returners is Lisa Araujo (Sr., Rialto, Eisenhower HS), who was the CCAA Freshman of the Year in 2001 and earned first-team All-CCAA honors the past two seasons. Araujo was second on the team last year in scoring with six goals and 12 points. Also returning is the team’s third-leading scorer from last season, Erica Rodriguez (Jr., San Diego, Bonita Vista HS), who had three goals, four assists and 10 points. Vanessa Richardson (Jr., Upland, Upland HS) returns in goal for the Broncos. She has recorded nine shutouts in her Cal Poly Pomona career, including five last season. Chelsea Hipley (Jr., Sacramento, Woodcreek HS), who earned second-team All-CCAA honors as a freshman, is another top returner. She had eight assists as a freshman and has a total of 14 in her Cal Poly Pomona career. The Broncos also welcome back Tia Rudolph (Sr., Rancho Cucamonga, Alta Loma HS), who earned second-team All-CCAA honors in 2002 and sat out last season.

 

Look Who’s New: The Broncos are very excited about what they consider to be an outstanding recruiting class. Jacqueline Ragudos (Fr., San Diego, University HS) is  contributing as a forward, while midfielders Sara Flowers (Fr., Santee, Santana HS) and Stephanie Mrazik (Fr., Brea, Brea-Olinda HS) are also top recruits. A fourth freshman, Lindsey Latham (Fr., San Diego, Our Lady of Peace HS), is contributing to the Bronco defense.

 

A Look Ahead: After the matches this week, Cal Poly Pomona will be on the road to face UC San Diego on Wednesday, Oct. 20 before returning home for a Saturday, Oct. 23 match against Cal State L.A.

 

CAL POLY POMONA

Women’s Soccer

 

CPP Schedule & Results

 

8/26     vs. Bryant University                             L 2-3 (OT)

8/28     at Western Washington                         L 0-1

8/30     at Seattle Pacific                                   L 0-4

9/7       at Azusa Pacific                                    L 0-1 (OT)

9/10     vs. Concordia                                       W 2-1

9/14     at CS Dominguez Hills*                        W 2-1

9/17     vs. Cal State Monterey Bay*                W 6-0

9/21     vs. CS San Bernardino*                       T 1-1

9/25     vs. UC San Diego*                               L 1-3

9/29     vs. Cal State Bakersfield*                     T 0-0

10/3     at Cal State L.A.*                                W 1-0

10/8     at Cal State Stanislaus*                         W 3-0

10/10   at Chico State*                                     L 0-1

10/15   vs. Sonoma State*                                4:30 p.m.

10/17   vs. San Francisco State*                       3 p.m.

10/20   at UC San Diego*                                7 p.m.

10/23   vs. Cal State L.A.*                               4:30 p.m.

10/27   at Cal State Bakersfield*                      7 p.m.

10/30   vs. CS Dominguez Hills*                       4:30 p.m.

11/5-7  CCAA Championships                         TBA

 

*Denotes CCAA Game