By Mateo Lopez, Oct. 5, 2021
On Oct. 1, the Cal Poly Pomona men’s soccer team began CCAA play with a 1-1 draw against Sonoma State University during double overtime. The Broncos entered the match with a 3-2-1 record after winning three of their last four matches.
The Broncos opened the first half displaying dominant defense, holding Sonoma State to five shots, with four occurring just outside the penalty box. Sonoma State took a 1-0 lead after a cross pass from the right side of the field entered the penalty box at the start of the first half. However, an unexpected foul against the Broncos sent sophomore Forward Paul Henschke to the penalty box to tie the game and cap off his seventh goal of the season.
“It feels good to score goals to help my team but it’s just a start,” said Henschke. “I’m happy with it but I want to work hard to get more goals.”
Outshot 5-4 by the end of the first half, the Broncos gained the opportunity to shoot a penalty kick, scoring the first goal of the match.
“We needed a couple minutes to find a way to field the plays and we did a better job in the second half,” said Henschke. “We found a better way to play deep and create shot attempts.”
During the second half of the game, the Broncos increased their offensive strategies, outshooting Sonoma State 8-4. Head Coach Matt O’Sullivan found that the team picked up the pace as the game progressed.
“We played with a higher tempo and a little more urgency,” said O’Sullivan. “We actually played much better on the ball and moving the ball around. We didn’t keep the ball enough in the first half; the second half we were much better, and it really helped us.”
Urgency was key during the last 30 minutes of the game, as senior Goalkeeper and Captain Jordan Aldama saved a ball in a one-on-one matchup against a Sonoma State forward.
“My first thought was ‘make a play, make a play. How can I help my team? How can I save my team here?’” said Aldama.
Ultimately, Aldama ended the match with two saves, three of which were on goal.
“I just held my ground try to stay up long as possible and waited for him to shoot and react after that,” Aldama added.
After two golden goal overtime periods, the game was declared a draw as both teams scored one goal each.
“We’re obviously confident in our players and I think Jordan came up with a brilliant stop on a one v. one that kept us in the game,” said O’Sullivan. “It’s about players making plays and Jordan made a good play on the penalty.”
The Broncos return to Kellogg Stadium Oct. 8 against Stanislaus State.
Featured image courtesy of Lyle Ibarra.