The stage is officially set for the second-seeded Cal Poly Women’s Soccer team as they begin their quest to reclaim the Big West Championship for the first time in 12 years.
With the top-two seeding, the Mustangs got a straight ride through to the semifinals. Cal Poly finished the regular season in a close second place with 20 points, trailing top-seeded CSUN, who ended their season with 21 points and just one loss.
That one point was the difference between playing at home in Spanos Stadium, where the Mustangs are unbeaten, and instead heading south to play their final Big West matches of the year at the home of the Matadors.
For head coach Bernardo Silva, he views this seeding as a fair one, knowing that his team had opportunities to secure that top seed but couldn’t seal the deal, including a 1-1 draw against CSUN in their final match of the regular season.
“The number one seeded team is the most consistent team in the league, and I think this year we’ve lacked consistency,” Silva said. “As a collective and as individuals, I don’t think we have been consistent enough to deserve that number one seeding.”
Redshirt junior midfielder Sophia Minnite utilized her redshirt year in 2022 when the Mustangs had last won a regular season title, and was disappointed that they could not reclaim it once more with her on the field.
“We’re going to have a little bit of a bite to us moving forward into these next games, so we are definitely excited for next week,” Minnete said. “We have got some work to do, but we’ll be ready to go.”
Cal Poly will not be contesting a rematch against CSUN on the evening of Nov. 6, instead, they will face the third seed, Cal State Fullerton, who is currently on a three-match winning streak.
The Titans’ ride to the semifinals wasn’t as relaxing as the Mustangs, as it took them a goal in the final 90 seconds against Cal State Bakersfield in order to secure their spot in the semifinals.
Silva is breathing a sigh of relief that he will not have to take on his former program in the semifinal round, noting his history and personal connections at Bakersfield.
“[Bakersfield] is who I came from last year, and I love those girls,” Silva said. “It is always hard playing against a team that you built.”
Since CSU Fullerton was able to take down CSU Bakersfield, Silva will have his attention turned towards the Titans, who have 14 wins and only two losses on the season.
When Cal Poly played Fullerton during Big West Conference play on Oct. 12, the Mustangs were able to secure the 2-0 victory, with both goals being scored by junior forward Annika Smith. Smith, who hasn’t scored since this brace, will look to find the back of the net again during the rematch.
If Cal Poly can lock down their second win of the season against Cal State Fullerton, they will move up to the Big West Championship match, where they will face the winner of Cal State Northridge and UC Santa Barbara.
The Mustangs opened Big West play this season against the Gauchos, and suffered a 3-1 loss. If they face UCSB in the final, they will definitely look to dial up the defense and rewrite that record from earlier this season.
UCSB had a tough loss to end the regular season, dropping their seeding down to fifth for postseason play.
If the Matadors are able to flip the script and take down the Gauchos after losing to them in conference play, the Mustangs will have a rematch of their 1-1 draw that ended their regular season and ultimately lost them the title.
That draw was one of nine for Cal Poly this season, setting a program record. In the postseason, a tie won’t cut it, as the teams will have to play two 10-minute overtime periods and then go to penalty kicks if neither team breaks the tie.
With two potential opponents with different styles of play vying for the other spot in the Big West Championship, the Mustangs will have to be adaptable and prepare for anything, making sure that their tactical decisions and scouting are on point.
“We have this ability to adapt to what the game requires so that we can dominate that game,” Silva said. “We can flex our identity slightly and say ‘okay, the game requires us to do this.”
Between the G.R.I.T. foundation, improved fitness levels, and a new layer of tactical adaptability, Cal Poly has worked hard to reshape the team and give themselves a great chance to win this tournament in 2025. Senior defender Camryn Penn is one of many returning players that has seen the changes within the program since Silva came on as head coach.
“Being able to go into the tournament this season, we are really happy with it and proud of the work that’s been done, and we’re just excited,” Penn said.
Cal Poly’s attention will be fully turned towards Cal State Fullerton as they begin their pursuit of their first Big West Championship under Silva at the Matador Soccer Field in Northridge on Nov. 6.