With the college season approaching, here is my preview of the women’s programs heading into the 2024 season.
UCR
Schedule
Along with their calendar above, UCR does have a significant matchup with CBU, known as the Crosstown rivalry/derby. This season will be the 5th crosstown rival/derby; the last one hosted by UCR ended in a CBU win (4-1). The Highlanders have a head-to-head record of 1-1-2 with the Lancers.
Coach
With the departure of long-time coach Nat Gonzalez, who served the Highlanders women’s program since 2012, Gerardo Hildado will take over as interim head coach. Nat has accepted a position in Arizona, and the Highlanders will now have a new head coach in over ten years. Gerardo Hildado will have his first crack as head coach after assistant stints in Hope International and Fullerton before coming to UCR.
Last season
The Highlanders finished their 2023 season with a 2-10-7 overall record and 2-5-3 in the Big West Conference. That record placed them 9th in the BW, but they did not punch a postseason ticket. They must place at least 6th or higher if they want to make the playoffs.
Opinion
This will be the Highlanders’ first interesting year under new leadership in over ten years. Under Gonzalez’s reigns, the Highlanders have made only three postseason appearances. His last two seasons also saw the Highlanders have awful records, so a change was needed if they wanted to turn the program around. Among the other colleges in the IE, I have seen UCR placed at the bottom.
Poll
I posted a poll on my Instagram asking my followers if they think each women’s program will see the postseason in 2024. My followers consist of former players and coaches, so their votes do carry some weight.
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 20 | 69% |
| No | 9 | 31% |
CBU
Schedule
Along with their schedule, CBU will host the 5th crosstown rival/derby against UCR. The last one hosted by UCR ended in a CBU win (4-1), and the Lancers will host this year. Cal Baptist has a 2-1-1 record against the Highlanders. Although both programs are not in the same conference, crosstown bragging rights matter for recruiting and having the unofficial title of the best program in Riverside.
Coach
2024 will be Kristen St. Clair’s 18th year with the Lancers, leading CBU to three PacWest titles in 2011, 2012, and 2017. In 2018, the Lancers officially moved to NCAA D1 and were members of the WAC conference.
Last season
In 2023, CBU finished with an overall record of 11-2-6 and 6-0-3 in the conference. The Lancers finished second and clinched the playoffs. They fell to Seattle U 1-2 in the first round of the WAC tournament.
Opinion
High expectations for them as they were the most dominant women’s 4-year college side in the IE.
Poll
Postseason?
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 22 | 76% |
| No | 7 | 24% |
CSUSB
Coach
This is Mark Peters’s third year as head coach. He is still trying to lead the Yotes to a postseason appearance, with last season being his closest attempt.
Last season
Cal State San Bernardino’s Record in 2023 was 8-6-4 overall and 5-3-3 in the CCAA conference. That performance placed them 7th and 1 point shy of the CCAA tournament, where only the top six programs advance.
Opinion
Hopefully, they can overcome the slump this season and clinch the playoffs. Coach Peters should be settled into the job by now.
Poll
Postseason?
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 13 | 46% |
| No | 15 | 54% |
U of R
Coach
Coach Soboti will be in her 26th year coaching the Bulldogs. She has led the University of Redlands to three SCIAC titles (2008, 2010, and 2014) and is also the women’s Lacrosse coach.
Last season
The Bulldogs’ overall record in 2023 was 2-13-2, and they were 2-8-2 in the SCIAC conference. This performance placed them 8th, and they didn’t see the playoffs. The top 4 programs advance to the SCIAC tournament, which the Bulldogs haven’t seen since the 2018 season.
Opinion
Last season was one of their worst; they can’t be slipping like that again. Another unrelated fact is that this program doesn’t recruit local talent compared to the other programs. This season, they only have six players from the IE. Personally, as a guy who has covered soccer in the IE since COVID-19, there is top talent here, and U of R should capitalize on that—not disregard talent from elsewhere, of course.
Poll
Postseason?
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 13 | 54% |
| No | 11 | 46% |
LSU
Coach
Is this Carlos Trevino’s first season? The Trevino brothers have been holding both programs down for a while, so this is a formality now. David Trevino, the former women’s coach and current men’s coach, led the Eagles of La Sierra to their first Cal Pac title in the modified 2021 season. Carlos has been an assistant coach for numerous seasons before becoming the head coach.
Last season
In 2023, the Eagles had an overall record of 4-9-1 and 2-8-1 in the CalPac conference. This performance did not see them in the playoffs, but the top six went to the CalPac tournament.
Opinion
Personally, I don’t have a concrete opinion on La Sierra. Again, the Trevino brothers have been running the show for a while, and that 2021 season was the highlight. They do recruit local talent, which I respect, but it’s hit or miss whether they have a good season.
Poll
Postseason?
| Votes | Percent | |
| Yes | 11 | 52% |
| No | 10 | 48% |