By Daniel Duque and Ricardo Martir, Oct. 17, 2023
After a 10-game undefeated run, Cal Poly Pomona men’s soccer team came up short, delivering a 0-1 loss against Cal State LA Oct. 12, reaching a 7-1-3 overall record.
The game was packed with intensity as the Broncos kept the Golden Eagles on their feet with a majority of possession on their defensive half, creating multiple scoring opportunities.
Thirty seconds in, forward Mads Frederiksen took advantage of a miscue from CSULA’s opening attack in the midfield by quickly intercepting the ball to enable a lone drive into the Golden Eagles’ penalty box. In the end, CSULA’s last line of defense came into play with a last second nudge to throw Frederiksen off.
Following an early 14th minute injury, CPP’s goalkeeper CJ Walker replaced Luke Garcidueñas and played his second game since the beginning of the season.
CPP recorded a total of 21 shots to CSULA’s four shots, with eight of the Broncos’ shots being on target.
While CSULA rarely broke into the final third, their offense capitalized well off a 15th-minute goal by midfielder Oliver Diaz following a corner kick.
“It’s not unlucky,” said CPP head coach Matt O’Sullivan. “We didn’t clear our lines; they scored on a really good finish.”
O’Sullivan also criticized the team’s numerous missed opportunities throughout the match.
“We had a lot of chances and missed them,” said O’Sullivan. “We get to the box, don’t make the plays, it doesn’t make a difference where you make the plays, you got to make enough plays. Whether you make the plays in your own half or on their half, you have to make the plays.”
Broncos forward Paul Roger Henschke, who had the most opportunities to score, was disappointed with his performance during the game.
“It was not good enough,” said Henschke. “Me as a striker, I have to put my chances, and it wasn’t good enough.”
CPP tipped off what would be a dominant second half possession-wise and with the ability to create chances on offense.
The Broncos had two key opportunities during the first 17 minutes of the second half. Henschke had the clearest one with a close shot within the penalty box. His shot, however, was not powerful enough to get past CSULA’s goalkeeper Julian Aadlandsvik.
In the final 20 minutes of the match the Broncos created multiple chances and consistently held possession in the Golden Eagles’ defensive box. However, CSULA’s defenders, Aadlandsvik’s saves and numerous off-target shots prevented CPP from equalizing, ending the game with a 0-1 score.
Despite the Broncos’ defeat, Henschke expressed optimism for the future and gave credit to the team’s hard work throughout the season.
“We had so many chances, so many shots, especially me,” said Henschke. “I think we are a good team. We are really working hard, and if you do what we do, you are going to have a lot of success.”
The Broncos are now 3-1-1 in the CCAA and will next face off against another local rival in Dominguez Hills to start a run of three road games ending against Cal State Monterey Bay Oct. 22.
O’Sullivan reflected on the upcoming challenges for the Broncos and acknowledged the competition.
“Repeat the process, dust it off, get into the next game and repeat the process,” said O’Sullivan. “We got loads of hard games. There’s a lot of teams that are good, we’re not just going to roll teams because we’re a good soccer team.”
After their three-game road series, the Broncos will celebrate senior night back in Pomona with a match against Cal State East Bay Oct. 27.
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
