Salazar-Ortega and Thomas Transferred to Cal Poly
The former CSU Bakersfield standouts joined the Cal Poly women's soccer roster during the 2026 off-season.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Soccer
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Junior forward Isis Salazar-Ortega and junior midfielder Miah Thomas transferred to the Cal Poly women's soccer team during the 2026 off-season. The pair made the move to reunite with head coach Bernardo Silva.
Why it matters
The transfers represent a strategic addition for Cal Poly as the program aims to bolster its roster for a postseason run. The players chose to join the university to maintain continuity with their coaching staff and to take advantage of the academic reputation of the school.
Isis Salazar-Ortega tallied 7 goals across 42 appearances at CSU Bakersfield, while Miah Thomas contributed 3 goals during her tenure at the school.
The players
Isis Salazar-Ortega
She is a junior forward who previously played for CSU Bakersfield and earned 2025 All-Big West Honorable Mention honors.
Miah Thomas
She is a junior midfielder who was recognized as a 2024 Big West All-Freshman selection during her time at CSU Bakersfield.
Bernardo Silva
He serves as the head coach of the Cal Poly women's soccer team and previously coached both athletes at CSU Bakersfield.
The details
The players are moving from CSU Bakersfield to continue their collegiate careers in San Luis Obispo under head coach Bernardo Silva. Both athletes bring post-season experience, having played for a CSU Bakersfield squad that reached the Big West Championship match in 2024.
Timeline
In 2024, CSU Bakersfield reached the Big West Championship match.
In 2025, Salazar-Ortega earned All-Big West Honorable Mention honors.
During the 2026 off-season, Salazar-Ortega and Thomas transferred to Cal Poly.
Season Trajectory
These roster additions reflect an effort to strengthen Cal Poly's competitive standing within the conference following the 2024 Big West Championship match. The move signals a pivot toward leveraging experienced talent to improve the team's postseason potential for the upcoming season.
The arrival of these two athletes adds proven offensive production to the Cal Poly lineup, directly impacting the team's rotation strategy. Their track record in the Big West conference suggests they will be key components in the team's pursuit of a postseason berth.
The takeaway
Student-athletes often prioritize consistent coaching relationships when evaluating transfer opportunities between institutions. Aligning academic goals with familiar athletic leadership remains a common strategy for collegiate players aiming to maximize their remaining eligibility.
Further reading
For more on local collegiate athletics, explore the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Mustang News.
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