Cal Poly's Remarkable Season Ends in NCAA First Round Defeat at No. 1 Stanford

Friday, November 14

Stanford, CA / Cagan Stadium

6 P.M.

10-3-9, 6-2-2

No. 1 Seed Stanford

17-1-2, 9-0-1

Cal Poly

Stanford

Photo by: Chloe Briote-Johnson

Cal Poly's Remarkable Season Ends in NCAA First Round Defeat at No. 1 Stanford

11/14/2025 11:29:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

STANFORD, Calif. — The Cal Poly women’s soccer team left Cagan Stadium with their heads held incredibly high Friday night after seeing a storybook season come to a close with a hard-fought 3-1 defeat to No. 1 Stanford in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.

Making their sixth NCAA Division Tournament appearance all-time and first in 21 years, the Mustangs (10-3-9) more than held their own against the No. 1 team in the country, making the Cardinal (17-1-2) fight tooth-and-nail for every ball.

Despite facing a nearly unbeatable opponent, Cal Poly stuck to its identity that got them to this point, playing with relentless intensity, effort and grit, and forcing the Cardinal to respect the Mustangs’ unwavering spirit and desire to never quit.

“We fought, we battled, we grinded, we stuck together and we fought for our sisters,” head coach Bernardo Silva said after the match. “We represented Cal Poly and everything that Cal Poly is all about in terms of its excellence, so we’re leaving this field incredibly proud of the season we’ve had.”

Unfazed by the moment, Cal Poly took it to the Cardinal, striking within the first minute of play. Flying down the right flank, graduate student Madelyn Dougherty made a move past a Stanford defender and sent a cross into the box that found the head of senior forward Jessie Halladay, who buried the ball into the back of the net just 49 seconds into the match — the sixth quickest goal to open a match in program history.

It was Halladay’s 10th goal of the season, the most by a Mustang since 2021 and tied for the 12th most in a single season in program history. Dougherty registered her ninth assist of the season on the tally, tied for the third most in a single season in program history.

Stanford equalized just six minutes later and then added another in the 37th minute to carry a 2-1 lead into halftime.

The Cardinal then made it 3-1 just 47 seconds into the second half. Despite the deficit, the Mustangs continued to battle and never gave up, firing opportunities on goal as time ran out on the clock and their season.

It was a valiant effort by the Mustangs, who captured their first Big West Championship in 21 years last Sunday to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

“I’m really proud of the girls,” said Halladay, one of the team’s three captains. “I wouldn’t want to be a part of any other team, how we fought for each other and our sisterhood, I think it’s so special.”

Stanford finished with a 23-9 shot advantage in the match and redshirt freshman goalkeeper Shannon Porubski made a career-high seven saves in net. Senior Brennan Cole, redshirt junior Sophia Minnite and redshirt sophomore Siena Urzua were the only field players that played all 90 minutes for the Mustangs.

The NCAA First Round defeat capped off one of the most successful seasons in the program’s history. This fall, Cal Poly went unbeaten in nonconference play (2-0-7) for the first time in program history, starting the season on a nine-match unbeaten streak — tied for the longest unbeaten streak to open a season in program history and the team’s longest overall since starting the 2005 season 6-0-3. The Mustangs also went unbeaten at home this season (3-0-6) for just the fifth time in program history and the first time in 21 years, and capped off a sensational year under first-year head coach Bernardo Silva with their fourth Big West Championship title.

Silva gave credit to the senior class for helping create an incredible culture built on sisterhood and for setting the standard each and every day.

“I’m at a loss of words for this amazing group of nine seniors that have helped in my year one establish Cal Poly 2.0,” he said. “We’re going to miss them dearly, it’s hard to think of a world without them … they’ve all been tremendous in understanding and accepting their role, doing it for each other and doing it for Cal Poly. They’ve set the example for all the younger players on the team of what it looks like to be a Mustang in this next chapter of Cal Poly 2.0.”

One of those seniors is Halladay, who ends her Cal Poly career with 49 career points, tied with Jill Nelsen (1997-99) for the 11th most in program history. Her 24 points this season are also tied for the 13th most in a single season in program history.

“I just feel so grateful to be a part of Cal Poly 2.0 and just representing Cal Poly and a great university,” Halladay said. “Shoutout to this coaching staff for just having a huge impact on us, and on me too for my life on and off the field. I’ve just brought so many lessons away with me, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world.”

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