By Dylan Long, Oct. 24, 2023
Cal Poly Pomona’s men’s soccer team took a 3-1-1 conference record into a back-and-forth stalemate Oct. 15, recording a 2-2 draw at Cal State Dominguez Hills.
The match marked CPP’s fourth draw of the season and the team’s second in conference play. Sunday night’s game was an evenly matched tilt with neither team being able to pull away from the other. The game was played tight, and the margin for error was razor thin between the two sides.
CPP came out of the gates with a fast-paced tempo as they have for most of the season. CPP finished the game with a staggering 17 shots and seven shots on goal.
Broncos’ head coach Matt O’Sullivan was pleased with the team’s offensive efficiency, but he also noted some areas the team still needs to work on.
“We have the most chances in our conference, but we also allow the most chances in our conference,” O’Sullivan said. “We need to be more efficient with our chances, while also making our opponent less efficient with theirs.”
Sunday’s game featured plenty of first half action, and the Broncos struck first in the 31st minute as midfielder Mike Moser assisted forward Jakob Singh on a corner kick to give CPP a 1-0 lead. Singh’s goal drew him level with fellow senior forward Paul Roger Henschke for the team’s lead in goals.
However, the Broncos were only able to hold this lead for a little over three minutes, as CSUDH put the pressure back on CPP. The Toros secured the equalizing goal in the 35th minute to even up the score at 1-1 heading into halftime.
Repeating the start of the match, the Broncos started off fast again after halftime. The Broncos pushed the pace out of the break and came close to scoring multiple times.
CPP had a surplus of chances out of the break, and in the 64th minute, they finally struck gold. CPP sophomore defender Marcus Jorgensen lined up a corner kick and sent the pass into the box. Henschke got a look and did not miss, giving the Broncos a 2-1 lead late in the contest.
The second half seemed to follow the same beats from the first half as the Toros hungered for the equalizing goal once again. In the 82nd minute the Toros netted a goal to tie the score once again.
O’Sullivan stressed the importance of having to be better at holding late leads.
“We just have to be better as a team late,” O’Sullivan said. “We are so good at creating chances, but the focus needs to immediately come back toward stopping opposing chances. When we can start doing that consistently, we will win a lot of these tight games.”
The Broncos had a few near chances late in the game, but the CSUDH goal in the 86th minute proved to be the last piece of action as the game ended with a final score of 2-2.
While the Broncos avoided defeat, they now hope to pick up wins on their upcoming CCAA road trip. O’Sullivan is excited to get back on the road, knowing how his team performs away from home.
“Our team has performed exceptionally on the road this season because of the comradery we share with one another,” O’Sullivan said. “These road trips are a grind, but we are such a close squad that it brings us closer together, and as a result of that, we play better.”
The road trip proved to be fruitful for the Broncos, as they beat the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters 3-1 Sunday, Oct. 22. CPP’s next match against the Cal State East Bay Pioneers will take place at Kellogg Stadium Friday, Oct. 27 at 4:30 p.m.
Feature image courtesy of CPP Athletics
