Humboldt Women Triumph in CCAA Soccer Thriller Over San Bernardino

The Cal Poly Humboldt women’s soccer team just punched their ticket to the next round of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) tournament. They pulled off a thrilling victory over Cal State San Bernardino in a match that stretched from Sunday into Monday night because, well, it just got too dark to play.

The No. 5 seed Jacks edged out the No. 4 seed Coyotes in a nerve-wracking penalty shootout. Now they’re staring down a huge challenge: top-seeded and defending national champs, Cal Poly Pomona.

The Jacks head into this clash riding the high of their recent win and a defense that’s been rock solid all season.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Road to Victory

The game against Cal State San Bernardino really showed off the Jacks’ grit and defensive backbone. Nobody found the back of the net in regulation, but both teams kept things interesting—Humboldt fired off 17 shots, San Bernardino managed 22.

Humboldt’s defense stood tall and refused to give up a goal. That’s been their thing all season, and they didn’t let up here.

Key Players and Moments

Karsyn Ross made things happen up front, creating five chances for Humboldt. Frida Duran Arellano chipped in with three of her own.

In goal, Carson Thomson-Terrel and Ari Beddoes stepped up big time. They combined for seven key saves and kept the scoreboard locked at zero.

The penalty shootout was a true test of nerves. Kyla Okamoto stepped up first and buried her shot, setting the tone.

Payton Heaney and Nicole Beauchemin followed with confident finishes. The Coyotes missed a couple, and Alexis Blue slammed the door with her decisive kick—game over, Jacks win.

Challenges Ahead: Facing Cal Poly Pomona

Now, the Jacks face Cal Poly Pomona. That’s a mountain to climb—Pomona’s the defending national champ and, honestly, the team to beat.

But Humboldt’s head coach, Grant Landy, isn’t backing down. He sounds pretty upbeat about their chances, even if it’s a tall order.

Coach Landy’s Perspective

Coach Landy keeps hammering home the need for a tough defense and sharp finishing. He knows this next match won’t be easy, but he’s proud of how far his team’s come.

“This is where we wanted to be at the end of the season, and I’m so proud of this group for getting here because it’s difficult,” he said. You can hear the pride in his voice.

Preparation and Strategy

The Jacks have been living out of suitcases for three weeks now. That’s no small thing—it’s tough, but they’ve handled it with grit.

The game against Pomona happens at Cal State Monterey Bay. If Humboldt manages to pull off another upset, they’ll stay there for the tournament final.

Defensive Strength

Honestly, Humboldt’s defense has carried them all season. Earlier, they strung together six straight shutouts before San Bernardino finally broke that streak.

They’ll need every bit of that defensive toughness to hang with Pomona’s attack.

Offensive Opportunities

Defense is great, but someone’s got to score to win. Karsyn Ross and Frida Duran Arellano are the ones to watch—they’ll need to break through Pomona’s wall and make something happen.

Looking Ahead

This next match isn’t just about skill—it’s about how much the Jacks can dig deep, mentally and physically. They’ll lean on the confidence from their big win over San Bernardino and hope that momentum carries them forward.