Despite taking a second half lead on the road at Humboldt State, women’s soccer was unable to hold on for its first win in California Collegiate Athletic Association play, due to three set-piece goals from the Jacks in the second half.
An 85th minute free kick from Humboldt’s sophomore midfielder Sabine Postma on the edge of the penalty area was buried in the top left corner to give the Jacks a 2-1 lead.
Postma turned provider two minutes later when her cross off a corner was finished by senior midfielder Pikake Hix.
“Today we just got a little sloppy in moments,” coach Jay Mason said.
The 3-1 loss on Sunday afternoon ended another forgettable weekend of action for the Broncos (4-7-1, 0-5-1) who remain winless in CCAA play and sit at the bottom of the table with one point out of a possible 18 available.
Sunday’s matchup seemed like an opportunity to get back on track against second-from-bottom Humboldt State, who entered the game with just one win in league play.
After a scoreless first half, CPP took the lead 10 minutes into the second half when junior forward Ambria Pogue slipped in behind the Jacks backline thanks to a perfectly weighted pass from freshman midfielder Jillian Erwin. Pogue calmly slotted the ball home past the onrushing goal keeper.
“Ambria’s been solid all year for us,” Mason said. “She brings a sense of calmness in and around the penalty area.”
The lead lasted less than five minutes when Humboldt leveled the score on a corner kick that resulted in a goal-line scramble that was finished off by senior midfielder Alex Jenkins.
“It’s the most dangerous time of the game right after you score,” Mason said. “We showed our inexperience, our inability to control the emotion of the moment.”
For most the second half, the game was even with Cal Poly Pomona creating the better chances from open play.
CPP forced a turnover in midfield that led to a counter attack.
Sophomore forward Ally LaCarra-Platt had a chance from the left side of the box, but her shot was saved easily at the near post.
Just before Humboldt’s go-ahead goal, it was the Broncos who nearly took the lead off a corner that needed two clearances off the line by Humboldt to keep the game tied.
Two minutes later, Humboldt earned a direct free-kick at the edge box after a foul was called as a Humboldt attacker drove into the box.
“Our discipline just wasn’t quite there today,” Mason said.
CPP opened the road trip at No. 23-ranked Sonoma State against the team that knocked the Broncos out of the CCAA tournament last year 3-1.
Friday’s game had to be moved from the field at Sonoma State University due to unplayable field conditions to East Washington Park seven miles away from the school.
As has been the trend for the team this season, CPP outshot Sonoma 10-4, but managed just four on target.
For the fourth time in the last five games Cal Poly Pomona was kept off the score sheet.
After conceding three at home against Chico State last week.
The defense held Sonoma to one goal in a 1-0 loss.
The breakthrough came in the 26th minute for Sonoma State when freshman midfielder Molly Murphy received the ball from senior midfielder Bella Amyx, took Cal Poly sophomore goalkeeper Clarissa Sanchez one-on-one and made no mistake and kicked the ball to the back of the net.
Sunday’s loss extends the winless run to six games.
Cal Poly Pomona’s last win came on Sept. 15 at home in a non-league game against Notre Dame De Namur.
According to Mason, the team is missing eight players who played last year to injury, forcing him to rely on inexperienced players.
Mason expects junior forward Amanda Duran will be back for this coming weekend after missing the last seven games with a bone bruise.
The Broncos return home this weekend for the final two home games of the regular season.
On Friday they will play Cal State San Marcos, who currently sit in the final qualifying spot for the CCAA Championship Tournament.
On Sunday, in the final home game of the season, CPP is matched up with UC San Diego who are also in a qualifying position.
“For this group its huge for breaking the habit right now that we have of playing well, working hard but not quite getting the results,” Mason said.
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