Humboldt Advances to CCAA Semifinals After Dramatic Penalty Shootout

Cal Poly Humboldt secured a hard fought victory in the CCAA Tournament on November 10 in San Bernardino, advancing to the semifinals after a scoreless match and two overtimes ended with a 4 to 2 penalty shootout win over Cal State San Bernardino. The Lumberjacks were held scoreless through 110 minutes of play but mounted a successful shootout that included conversions by Kyla Okamoto, Payton Heaney and Nicole Beauchemin, with Alexis Blue converting the decisive kick. Humboldt goalkeeper and defenders produced multiple key stops and clearances that kept the team alive through two overtime periods.

The victory improves Humboldt to 6 wins, 5 losses and 8 draws overall, and to 4 wins, 2 losses and 5 draws in conference play. The Lumberjacks outshot their opponent 17 to an unspecified number but were unable to find the net in regulation or overtime. The team now prepares to face top seeded Cal Poly Pomona in the semifinal round, a matchup that will test Humboldt against the conference favorite.

Beyond the scoreboard, the result carries significance for the university and the broader Humboldt County community. Postseason success can increase visibility for the athletics program, influence recruiting efforts and energize alumni and donor engagement. For a regional campus that often competes for attention against larger institutions, advancement to the semifinals delivers a tangible moment of community pride and a rallying point for student involvement. Local businesses that serve students, families and traveling fans may also see modest economic benefits when playoff travel and on campus events draw visitors.

The performance highlighted resilience after a taxing schedule that included an extended road stretch and weather related delays, a factor Coach Grant Landy acknowledged when praising the team for its grit. The defensive effort and penalty shootout composure underscore a competitive identity that could be important as Humboldt faces the highest ranked team remaining in the bracket.

As the program moves forward, university athletics leaders will weigh operational and resource implications tied to deeper postseason runs, including travel logistics, staffing and facilities use. For residents who follow Lumberjack sports, the semifinal appearance offers a clear achievement to support and an opportunity to engage with campus life and local civic pride. The semifinal matchup with Cal Poly Pomona will determine whether Humboldt can extend its postseason and further raise the profile of women's soccer at the university.