Cal Poly’s women’s soccer team came within one game of reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2004 this season, but fell short against Cal State Fullerton in the Big West Conference title game.
The Mustangs (10-7-3, 3-1-3) finished fourth in the conference.
Head coach Alex Crozier said his team came together particularly during the last part of the season, especially in the Big West tourney.
“This team the last weekend in the last tournament played some of the best soccer in a couple years,” Crozier said. “It’s just a shame we couldn’t get into the NCAA Tournament.”
The women’s soccer team had a combined 20 freshmen and sophomores on the roster this season, many of whom showed promise for the future.
Carrie Andrews won Big West Co-Freshman of the Year honors and, along with freshman Kaleena Andruss, was named to the All-Big West First Team. Freshman Ashley Vallis was named to the second team.
Seniors Heidi McQuitty and Kelsey Carroll were selected to the first and second teams, respectively.
With the loss of four seniors, the team figures to remain young next season.
Cal Poly will have key member Sharon Day back on the active roster after she sat out this season with a broken foot. Crozier described Day as a constant threat on the field.
“We ended up playing very well without her, but if she were there, it could have made the difference in seven or eight games that were losses or ties.”
Crozier set a conference championship and a top-16 bid for the NCAA Tournament as the ultimate goals for next season.
Men’s soccer
After being chosen to finish last in the Big West, the men’s soccer team finished a surprising – though not unexpected – fourth in the conference with at 7-8-4 overall and 3-5-2 in the Big West.
Much like the women’s soccer team, the men’s squad was young, with 16 freshmen and nine sophomores on its roster.
First-year Cal Poly head coach Paul Holocher said his team has a lot to build on for the future. He said defense was his team’s strong suit this season. The team forced seven shutouts, which ranked third in the conference, including a 1-0 victory at Cal State Northridge that Holocher called a highlight of the season.
“(The Matadors) just flooded us to get the equalizer, but our defense held strong,” Holocher said. “That was just heart and work rate to defend that lead. Northridge is not a team that gets shut out on their home field.”
The Mustangs ranked fourth in the conference in goals allowed, saves and goals-against average.
The team’s offense should develop as young players gain more experience and become stronger physically, Holocher said. The Mustangs have exhibition games scheduled against UCLA and Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy reserves during the offseason.
“I want to get these guys battle-tested so that they realize that experience does make a difference,” Holocher said.
The Mustangs were led by lone senior Eric Ward, who was voted first-team all-conference despite playing in an unfamiliar centerback position.
“Eric was outstanding, not just as a player, but as a captain,” Holocher said.
Another standout was sophomore goalkeeper Eric Branagan-Franco, who led the Big West in shutouts and save percentage.
Holocher said his ultimate target for the men’s soccer program is to consistently contend for the Big West title and an invitation to the NCAA Tournament.
Though he said it’s possible to achieve that goal next year, Holocher admitted it’s probably one or two years down the road.