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Courtesy of Cal Lutheran Athletics--
California Lutheran University’s Brynn McMahon has been a steady presence on the women’s soccer roster for the past four years, helping solidify the strong standing that the team holds today.
As she enters her fourth and final season this fall, McMahon reflects on her journey to Thousand Oaks and the legacy she’ll be leaving behind after graduation. McMahon is from San Jose, California, where she played soccer for Valley Christian High School and De Anza Force Soccer Club. In her four years with Valley Christian, she was a four-year varsity team member as well as a Scholar-Athlete.
When looking for a place to continue her athletic and academic career, McMahon chose Cal Lutheran because of its “proximity to family and the incredible reputation of the women’s soccer program.” McMahon added that after visiting campus and the coaching staff, she could picture herself thriving in Thousand Oaks. McMahon has played consistently all four years at CLU, a feat that not many can say they achieve in college athletics.
When asked about a favorite memory she had with the team over the last four seasons, she said without a doubt, “winning the national championship.” McMahon was part of the 2023 Cal Lutheran squad that took home the NCAA DIII national title in a nail-biting match against Washington University. That game, McMahon’s defensive skills helped CLU win a shut-out game to bring home some hardware to Thousand Oaks.
CLU Women’s soccer head coach Frank Marino admires McMahon’s work ethic, stating that “Brynn has been an extraordinary contributor to our program over the last four years. She helped us win the national championship in 2023, she made the all tournament team, and this year she was able to help us out and switch positions from outside back to center back, helping lock down our defense.”
Beyond athletics, McMahon’s vision has always extended past the field. With a lifelong goal of becoming a pilot, she saw Cal Lutheran as the place where she could balance both her academic and athletic ambitions. McMahon is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics, and plans to attend flight school after graduation. As part of a feature celebrating women athletes in SCIAC, McMahon shares her perspective on what it means to her to represent her team and sport at this high level.
One word she shared was “pride.” Pride in being a woman in sports, pride in her accomplishments, and pride in knowing that when it felt like women’s sports were being underestimated, she could contribute to the team’s success in winning a national championship and prove that her and the other women athletes of CLU alongside have their winning record to back them up. From her first visit on campus to her final season representing the Regals, Brynn McMahon has embodied resilience, leadership, and pride. In Thousand Oaks, she leaves the women’s soccer program with a record to be proud of and a legacy that will remember her incredible contributions to the team’s defense.
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