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What 2 Watch 4
- Two teams have totaled 10 points after a month of conference play. Cal State Fullerton and UC Irvine sit atop the conference standings with a trio of Big West wins (10 points), while Cal Poly (7 points), CSUN (8 points), and UC Santa Barbara (8 points) sit with a pair of league wins under their respective belts.
A total of eight matches are set to air live on ESPN+ this week. Please check the listings here to watch your favorite Big West squad in action!
A total of eight matches are set to air live on ESPN+ this week. Please check the listings here to watch your favorite Big West squad in action!
2025 Big West Women's Soccer Schedule
Pull Up to the Pitch
Cal Poly (4-1-8, 2-1-1 BW) — The Mustangs continued their strong Big West form, earning a 1-0 win at UC Davis behind a 67th-minute strike from Annika Smith to secure their second straight shutout victory. Earlier in the week, Brennan Cole and Jessie Halladay each found the net as Cal Poly battled to a 2-2 draw with Cal State Bakersfield. Goalkeeper Shannon Porubski added two key saves to keep the Mustangs unbeaten at home this season. CP returns to action Thursday, Oct. 9, visiting Hawai‘i for a 9 p.m. PT kickoff.
Cal State Bakersfield (4-6-2, 1-2-1 BW) — CSUB earned a 2-2 draw at CP behind a brace from Sara Ybarra, who converted a late penalty to secure the result. Kamy Anaya came up big in goal to keep the Roadrunners in contention with three saves. The Blue and Yellow battled hard at UCSB, firing 11 second-half shots but ultimately falling 0-1. The 'Runners return home to host UC Irvine on Thursday at the Main Soccer Field.
Cal State Fullerton (10-0-2, 3-0-1 BW) — The Titans continue their historic run with after sweeping UH and UCD at home this week. Camryn Cruz led CSF’s attack with a brace, including the game-winner (fourth of the season) while Isaac Ranson anchored a defense that allowed zero shots on goal. The Titans, now one of just five unbeaten teams in the nation, also moved into first place in the Big West standings with 10 points. The Blue and Orange open a three-game road stretch Thursday at UCSB.
CSUN (4-6-3, 2-0-2 BW) — CSUN continued its defensive dominance with a 0-0 draw at UCSD, extending its unbeaten streak in Big West play. Riley Liebsack was outstanding in goal, recording a season-high eight saves for the Matadors’ fourth consecutive shutout, setting a new program record to open conference play. The senior also climbed to seventh all-time in career shutouts at CSUN (9). The Matadors return home next Sunday, Oct. 12, to host CSUB.
Hawai’i (2-5-7, 0-1-3 BW) — UH showed resilience on the road, battling back from a three-goal halftime deficit to earn a 3-3 draw at UCR. Nalani Damacion, Penny Noland, and Alice Davidson each scored in the second half, marking the largest comeback in program history. Earlier in the week, UH fell 2-1 at unbeaten Cal State Fullerton despite a strong start against the league leaders. The Rainbow Wahine return to Waipi‘o Soccer Stadium on Thursday to open a three-match homestand against Cal Poly at 6 p.m.
Long Beach State (4-4-3, 1-0-2 BW) — LBSU returned to the pitch with a dominant 3-0 win at UCR, powered by two goals from Natalie Arnold to extend the team’s unbeaten streak to five. Aurora Schuck came up clutch days later, stopping a late penalty to preserve a 1-1 draw against UC Irvine in the Black and Blue Rivalry. The Beach has now gone six straight matches without a loss, showcasing balance on both sides of the pitch. LBSU hits the road next week to face Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday and UC Davis on Sunday.
UC Davis (2-7-4, 0-3-1 BW) — UCD will look to rebound after facing CSF and UCI last week. Cat Pieper anchored the defense with multiple saves across both outings, while Savannah Cordero led the Aggies’ attack with a team-high three shots against the Titans. The Aggies continued to show strong defensive organization against two of the league’s top offenses. UC Davis returns home Thursday, Oct. 9, to host UCSD.
UC Irvine (6-3-5, 3-1-1 BW) — Sus de Bakker scored a brace for the Anteaters that proved to be the difference in a 2-0 shutout over UCD. The following match in the Black & Blue rivalry, Mia Colombini scored for UCI to make it a 1-1 draw foe LBSU. The result extended UCI’s unbeaten streak to three matches and eight straight against the Beach. The Anteaters return home to Anteater Stadium on Oct. 16 to host UC Santa Barbara.
UC Riverside (0-11-1, 0-4-1 BW) — UC Riverside showcased its attacking depth in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Hawai‘i at UCR Soccer Stadium. Spenser Gonzales struck twice, including an early penalty, while Mia DiLeo headed in her first collegiate goal off a set piece from Finley Aghassi as the Highlanders built a quick 3-0 lead. UCR controlled possession throughout the opening half, displaying sharp movement and creativity in the final third. The Highlanders return to action on Thursday, Oct. 16, when they face UC San Diego
UC San Diego (2-5-4, 0-2 BW) — UC San Diego battled to a 0-0 draw against CSUN in Big West play Sunday, controlling the attack with nine shots on goal but unable to find the net. Freshman goalkeeper Charlotte Wilfert recorded her fifth clean sheet of the season, tying her career high with six saves. The Tritons have now posted five scoreless draws this season, showing strong defensive consistency. UC San Diego returns home for its next matchup in Big West play.
UC Santa Barbara (9-2-3, 2,0-2 BW) — UC Santa Barbara remained unbeaten in Big West play with a 1-0 win over Cal State Bakersfield, highlighted by a first-half strike from Haley Phillips, assisted by Ava Jarolimek. The Gauchos dominated the opening half, outshooting the Roadrunners 8-1 and controlling 65 percent of possession while applying consistent offensive pressure. The victory moves UCSB to 2-0-2 in conference play and keeps momentum high after a brief mini-bye week. The Gauchos return home Thursday, Oct. 9, to host unbeaten and nationally ranked Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m.
Weekly Awards
Cal State Fullerton’s Camryn Cruz helped the Titans remain unbeaten and also earn a pair of conference victories to claim Big West Offensive Player of the Week honors. This is the first weekly distinction of Cruz’s career. Cruz recorded a brace in a 2-0 win over UC Davis, marking the fourth and fifth goals of the midfield’s season. The redshirt junior also went the full 90 minutes earlier in the week during a 2-1 victory over Hawai‘i, helping the Titans remain unblemished in Big West competition (3-0-1).
CSUN goalkeeper Riley Liebsack claimed back-to-back Big West Defensive Player of the Week honors, adding the senior’s fourth shutout of the season against UCSD. This is the second weekly distinction of Liebsack’s career (Sept. 29, 2025). Liebsack tallied a season-high eight saves against 20 total shots, including five in the second half to preserve the result. The senior added two more saves in a 2-0 triumph over UC Riverside, extending a personal streak to three consecutive shutouts and a scoreless start in conference play. With six shutouts this season (second most in the Big West), Liebsack has led the league in GAA at 0.855.
Long Beach State’s Ameera White helped extend the Beach’s unbeaten streak to six matches and take home Big West Freshman of the Week honors. This is the first weekly distinction of White’s career. The midfielder assisted on both the second and third goals in a 3-0 victory over UC Riverside to open the week. White added another assist on the opening strike in a 1-1 draw against UC Irvine, continuing a strong debut campaign for the Beach.
All-Time Big West Players of the Week
The Big West in the Rankings/Best in The West
- For the third straight week, Cal State Fullerton is receiving votes in the latest edition of the United Soccer Coaches Poll, released on Sept. 30.
So far, the Titans boast an unbeaten record of 8-0-2, sweeping their non-conference schedule for the first time in program history before their unscathed start in Big West play (1-0-2).
Statistically, CSF is tied for second in the nation in shutout percentage (8.000) across the team’s eight games this season while also being knotted third overall in save percentage (0.925). On offense, forward Isbella Cruz comes in a tie for fourth most game-winning goals (4) this season.
Also, for the second straight week, the Titans have been named as the top team in the same USCA poll.
All-Time Titan
- Isaac Ranson etched the goalkeeper's name in the record books with five saves in the match, bringing their career total to 316. The redshirt senior goalkeeper surpassed the 19-year-old program record of 312 saves set by Titans Hall of Famer Karen Bardsley (2002–06). Ranson also recorded the 25th shutout of their career, now just one shy of Bardsley’s all-time mark of 26.
Six-Piece at the Beach
Long Beach State put on an offensive clinic in a dominant 6-0 home victory, tying the program record for both goals scored and margin of victory. Kailey Supa led the charge with a brace, while Cherrie Cox, Ameera White, Raddison Banks, and Jordan Candelaria all added goals in a balanced attack that never let up. The Beach (2-4-0) controlled play from start to finish, outshooting Nevada 13-2 in the first half alone and piling on four more second-half goals to secure the emphatic win. LBSU’s six-goal performance marked their best offensive output of the season and the most goals in a single match since 2018.
300 & Counting
Cal State Fullerton celebrated a milestone while continuing their hot start, securing a 3-2 home victory over New Mexico State at Titan Stadium. The win marked the 300th victory in program history, a testament to the Titans’ long-standing success on the pitch.
Sail Bozinovic scored twice, including her first collegiate goal in the fourth minute, and Camryn Cruz added a goal for her second straight game, powering a balanced attack that saw the Titans record 28 shots with eight on goal. Despite conceding two goals, the Titans’ defense held firm late, preserving the historic win.
School Spotlight: UCSB's Olivia Howard
In the world of collegiate sports, athletes are often celebrated for their physical prowess, determination, and resilience. However, there are moments when the challenges they face extend beyond the field and into the realm of personal health.
Such was the case for Olivia Howard, women’s soccer player at UC Santa Barbara. The junior forward from Dallas, Texas, encountered an unexpected and life-altering obstacle before even stepping on the field for the Gauchos when a congenital heart defect was discovered during a routine incoming physical.
The initial shock of this diagnosis and the subsequent journey towards recovery not only transformed perspectives on the sport but also ignited a passion within to raise awareness about congenital heart defects, especially in young athletes. Read more about Howard's journey here.
Superwoman
Isabella Cruz of Cal State Fullerton has been selected as one of The Big West's pair of 2025 NCAA Woman of the Year conference nominees.
Each year, NCAA member schools nominate graduating female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves on and off the field of play. From there, the NCAA Woman of the Year selection process narrows the pool to the Top 30 honorees—10 from each division—before selecting three finalists from each division. The award recipient is chosen by the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics and honored at the NCAA Convention.
A second-generation Latina and standout student-athlete, Cruz has exemplified excellence both on and off the field. She completed her bachelor's degree in communications in just 2.5 years, graduating summa cum laude with a 3.9 GPA, and is currently pursuing a master's degree in professional communications while competing in her final season of NCAA eligibility. As a team captain for the CSUF women's soccer program, she has led with integrity, building a team culture centered on inclusivity, support, and growth.
Beyond athletics, she serves as her team's representative on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), advocating for the student-athlete experience across campus. Her commitment to service is evident through her volunteer work with Football for Her, campus engagement efforts like promoting voter participation, and community-driven initiatives such as food drives and holiday gift collections.
In addition to her academic and service contributions, Cruz has gained hands-on experience in sports marketing as an intern with Orange County Soccer Club, and currently serves as the social media manager for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), using digital storytelling to foster connection and purpose.
Jenika Davis Final Cancer Update
Tune in above for a feature from UC Irvine Athletics with women’s soccer student-athlete Jenika Davis to talk about the senior's battle and victory against Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), return to the pitch, special events, and more. UC Irvine's match against Washington served as this year’s Cancer Awareness Game, and Anteater Nation joined the fight against cancer and cheered the team to a scoreless draw.
Read more about Jenika Davis through the CalHope Courage award here.
International Action
- Cal State Bakersfield senior Catalina Roggerone has once again been called up to the Argentina Women's National Team, making the midfielder's second appearance in 2025. The Mendoza, Argentina native helped the squad reach the semifinals and secure a podium finish, placing third overall in a major international tournament.
2025 USCA Division I Players to Watch
- A total of four standout Big West student athletes have been chosen to the United Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women's Players to Watch list.
The listings are compiled and released by the Division I All-America Committees to promote college soccer leading up to the official start date for the regular season later this month. Honorees include United Soccer Coaches All-Americans and All-Region players from 2024 who are scheduled to return for the 2025 season.
| Isabella Cruz |
Senior |
Midfielder |
Cal State Fullerton |
| Nalani Damacion |
Sophomore |
Midfielder |
Hawai'i |
| Genavieve Fontes |
R-Senior |
Midfielder |
UC Davis |
| Kennedy Justin |
Sophomore |
Goalkeeper |
Hawai'i |
New Faces of The Big West
- The Big West welcomes a new crop of leaders around the conference during the 2025-26 season. A trio of programs has welcomed new head coaches with Cal State Bakersfield, UC Davis, and UC Riverside, while Cal Poly kept its hire within the league.
The Roadrunners welcome Whitney Pitalo, who most recently served as the First Assistant Coach at Boston College, aiding the Eagles to a 12-5-2 overall record and the team's best finish in the American Coastal Conference (ACC) since 2018. CSUB earned its first pair of victories in the Big West Championship last season, before being narrowly edged in the Final in penalty kicks.
Kat Mertz joins the Aggies after orchestrating a program-changing run as head coach at NCAA Division II MSU Denver, posting a 39-20-19 overall record and a 28-12-8 mark in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) action over four seasons. UCD capped off 2024 with the best regular season record in the league at 13-5-2 and earned the No. 2 seed in the Championship behind a 6-2-2 performance in conference play.
Mike Dibbini will now be the new manager of the Highlander. Dibbini brings nearly two decades of collegiate head coaching experience to UC Riverside, boasting a career record of 303-176-52 (.619). Most recently, he built Kansas State University's women's soccer program from the ground up, leading the Wildcats since their 2016 debut and steering them to multiple milestones, including a Big 12 Championship appearance in 2022.
Bernardo Silva will now take the reins at Cal Poly, succeeding Alex Crozier, who led the Mustangs since the program's inception in 1991. After leading CSUB for two seasons, he set multiple Big West program records and guided the Roadrunners to their best conference finish in history. A former Mustang assistant (2013-16), Silva compiled an 11-20-9 overall record and 6-8-6 Big West mark while coaching the 'Runners.
Preseason Prognostics
-Hawai'i has been selected as the preseason favorite to capture the 2025 Big West women's soccer title, as voted on by the league's 11 head coaches. Four teams received at least one first-place vote on the preseason poll.
The Rainbow Wahine, who finished 12-8-1 overall with an 8-1-1 record in conference play last season, earned 88 points and six first-place votes to claim the top spot after earning their first-ever Big West regular-season championship.
Defending tournament champion UC Santa Barbara (8-6-9, 4-2-4 BW) ranks second with 84 points and three first-place selections, followed closely by UC Irvine (6-7-6, 4-2-4 BW) with 81 points and one first-place nod. Long Beach State (6-9-3, 3-5-2 BW) collected 74 points and a first-place vote to land in fourth, while Cal State Fullerton sits just behind in fifth at 73 points.
Cal Poly (5-11-3, 3-6-1) finished sixth in the voting at 53 points, followed by UC San Diego (3-12-4, 1-6-3 BQ) in seventh with 42 points, and UC Davis's (13-5-2, 6-2-2 BW) 37 points placed the Aggies in eighth. Cal State Bakersfield (8-10-5, 4-3-3 BW) and CSUN (5-11-3, 3-4-3 BW) are knotted at No. 9 with 27 points as UC Riverside (2-13-4, 0-6-4 BW) rounds out the 2025 preseason coaches' poll.
Coaches also voted on an 11-member Preseason All-Big West Team featuring standout student-athletes from across the conference. Cal State Fullerton and Hawai'i led the way with both squads having a pair of representatives on the team.
The Big West unveiled its 11-member Preseason All-Conference Team, as voted on by league head coaches. The list features top returning talent from across the conference, with Cal State Fullerton and Hawai'i leading all programs with two selections each.
Representing the Titans are forward Isabella Cruz and defender Kaylin Raibon, who finished second and third in team scoring last season.
Preseason favorite Hawai'i places midfielder Nalani Damacion, the 2024 Big West Midfielder of the Year, and forward Amber Gilbert on the squad. Last season, Damacion notched seven goals, including five game-winners, while Gilbert was a consistent threat up top in 17 starts.
The preseason list also includes Cal State Bakersfield's standout goalkeeper Kamy Anaya, who helped lead the Roadrunners to their first Big West Final in program history with a .770 save percentage. Long Beach State forward Cherrie Cox returns to the pitch after claiming the 2023 Big West Offensive Player of the Year accolade behind a 13-goal campaign.
UC Davis forward Genavieve Fontes, the league's top scorer last season with 11 goals, earns a spot alongside UC Santa Barbara's forward Devin Greer, who tallied 10 goals en route to 2024 Freshman of the Year honors.
Jessie Halladay led the Mustangs as a forward with 11 points in 2024, while Mihaela Perez of UC Irvine helped anchor a defense that recorded five clean sheets in 19 starts. Midfielder Yoshi Rubalcava rounds out the 2025 preseason team as CSUN's representative after posting career-highs in both goals (5) and points (12) a year ago.
The 2025 Big West Women's Soccer Championship is set to begin on Sunday, Nov. 2, with first-round matches hosted by the No. 3 and No. 4 seeds, who will face the No. 6 and No. 5 seeds, respectively. From there, our semifinals and the title match will take place at the home venue of the 2025 regular-season champion and No. 1 seed. Semifinal action is slated for Thursday, Nov. 6, with the Championship Final set for Sunday, Nov. 9. The winner will earn the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Women's Soccer Championship.
Action across The Big West kicks off this Thursday, Aug. 14, while league play commences Thursday, Sept. 18, with four matches on the docket, kicking off a seven-week slate. Each side will play five home matches and have three bye dates throughout the Thursday-Sunday rotation, which concludes on Oct. 30.
2024 Postseason Rewind
- No. 3 seed UC Santa Barbara opened its postseason run with a 2-1 win over No. 6 seed Cal State Fullerton. Freshman standout Devin Greer led the way with a goal and an assist, including the game-winner in the 73rd minute.
In the later first-round match, No. 5 seed Cal State Bakersfield made history in their Big West Championship debut, upsetting three-time defending champion and No. 4 seed UC Irvine 1-0 behind Kamy Anaya's eight-save shutout and Isis Salazar-Ortega's 44th-minute strike.
The semifinals at Waipi'o Peninsula Soccer Stadium in O'ahu, brought more drama. UCSB edged No. 2 seed UC Davis 3-2 in double overtime thanks to Greer's penalty kick to reach the title match for the first time since 2018, while CSUB stunned top-seeded and regular-season champion Hawai'i, 3-0, to reach their first-ever Big West Championship final in any sport, still without allowing a postseason goal.
In the Championship final, UCSB and CSUB battled to a stalemate before the Gauchos prevailed 8-7 in a penalty shootout to claim their third Big West title, all won via PKs. The victory sent UCSB to its 10th NCAA Division I Women's Soccer Championship appearance.
From The Big West to the Big Leagues
- In January 2022, Long Beach State forward Lena Silano was selected 34th overall by the Washington Spirit in the third round of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) Draft.
Silano was the second straight player from the Beach to be drafted and is the fourth overall Big West student-athlete to hear their name called in the NWSL Draft. Former teammate, Kaitlin Fregulia, and 2x Big West Defensive Player of the Year (2017, 2021) was selected 12th overall to the North Carolina Courage as the highest draft pick in Big West Women's Soccer history.
Silano won the 2022 Big West Offensive Player of the Year Award and has been an All-Big West selection twice (2021, 2022). The forward was also a member of the 2022 United Soccer Coaches All-West Region First Team.
Two months later, another alum of the Big West would have an opportunity to play in the NWSL as UC Irvine alum Scarlett Camberos was signed by Angel City FC (LA), marking her return to Southern California after spending time at Club América Femenil. The former Anteater scored 13 goals and notched seven assists during her senior season.
Another monumental moment for the conference occurred during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, while Quinley Quezada represented UC Riverside and the Big West on the biggest stage while playing for the Philippines. The squad suffered a 2-0 defeat versus Switzerland in the first group stage before winning its first-ever World Cup match against New Zealand, 1-0 on July 25, 2023. However, the Philippines fell in its final group match to Norway, 6-0.
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