Staff Directory

Tara Oper

Title:
Director of Operations/Player Development
Email:

2024 NCAA Division II national champion and two-time All-West Region honoree Tara Oper joined the UC Riverside Women’s Soccer staff in July 2026 as the program's Director of Operations/Player Development.

Oper currently serves as a head coach at Legends FC, where she played in the US Soccer Development Academy and ECNL leagues. She also serves as a varsity assistant coach for her alma mater of Arlington High School in Riverside, leading AHS to the 2025 Ivy League title and a CIF Southern Section Division 4 quarterfinal appearance.

Oper is one of the most decorated players in Cal Poly Pomona history. The Riverside native led the Broncos to the 2024 national title and a 22-1-2 record as United Soccer Coaches Player of the Year and First Team All-American after logging nine goals and a program-record 12 assists.

She was a two-time All-CCAA selection at CPP and three-time member of the CCAA Academic Honor Roll. Oper was additionally honored as CPP’s 2024-25 Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

Oper began her collegiate career at Idaho State, securing Big Sky All-Academic honors as a freshman.

She was a four-time scholar-athlete at Arlington High School, participating in both soccer and track & field.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminology from Cal Poly Pomona and a USSF Grassroots License while working towards a USSF D license.