CCAA Preseason Coaches Poll

LOS ANGELES -- Cal State LA's women's soccer team has been picked to finish third in the California Collegiate Athletic Association in a poll released by the conference on Monday.

The Golden Eagles picked up one first place vote and was tied with Stanislaus State for third with 110 points in a poll of conference head coaches. Defending national champion Cal Poly Pomona is favored to repeat as conference champion, while 2024 conference tournament finalist Cal State East Bay was second in the poll. The Broncos received nine of the 12 first-place votes and 141 points, while the Pioneers didn't receive a first-place vote, but still finished with 118 points.

Cal State LA, which won the 2022 CCAA Tournament title, and Stanislaus State both finished with one first-place vote and 110 points.

Cal State San Marcos picked up the other first-place vote and was fifth in the poll with 84 points, just one point ahead of Cal Poly Humboldt with 83 points. Cal State Monterey Bay was seventh with 81 points and was followed by Cal State San Bernardino (56), Cal State Dominguez Hills (55), Chico State (49), UC Merced (28) and San Francisco State (21).

The Golden Eagles were third in the conference last season with a 6-4-1 mark in conference play. Cal State LA, which is receiving votes in the national preseason poll by the United Soccer Coaches, was 9-4-5 overall and narrowly missed a spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Cal State LA fell in the first round of the CCAA Tournament on penalty kicks after a 0-0 tie with Cal State Monterey Bay in University Stadium.

The Golden Eagles have reached the CCAA Tournament in 11 consecutive seasons and 15 times overall.

Cal State LA saw all four of its first or second All-CCAA selections graduate as two-time Goalkeeper of the Year Taesja Paopo, first-team midfielder Jassmin Ortiz, and second-team stars Jaclyn Orozco and Shelby Melin completed their outstanding player careers last season. Two others, who earned All-CCAA honorable mention, Destiny Moedano and Liliana Gonzalez, also completed their Golden Eagle careers.

Cal State LA had another sensational defensive season last year as the Golden Eagles ranked 20th nationally in goals against average and 11th in save percentage. 

Leading scorer Delia Bocanegra, who earned All-CCAA honorable mention, leads a talented list of returners that include Reyna Roman, Peytyn Mize, Syra Valdez, Camilia Juarez and Itzel Carbajal, who all started games for the Golden Eagles.

In addition, Alejandra Andalon returns after appearing in all 18 games as a key sub last season.

In all, 13 players who saw playing time last season are back.

In addition, head coach Erik Garcia welcomes a large and talented group of newcomers who are expected to provide major contributions to the Golden Eagles.

Cal State LA will open the 2025 season at home against Western Oregon on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.