Mustangs play Anteaters to a 1-1 tie in Big West opener

Cal Poly’s Kaba Alkebulan was a physical offensive target for much of Thursday’s match. By Owen Main

UC Irvine was the highest ranked opponent Cal Poly has ever hosted. Ranked second, the Anteaters came into Spanos Stadium on Thursday night and have to feel fortunate to escape with a point after Cal Poly dominated the first half and were a penalty kick save away from blowing the game wide-open.

Matching styles

Only knowing their record, I expected Irvine to be much more physical in this game. Instead, they also played a pretty attractive style of soccer that made the first half really enjoyable. Both teams showed really nice ball-control, poise, and solid passing and ball-movement.

I’m still convinced this will be the exception from Cal Poly opponents in conference play.

His friends call him The Captain

Cal Poly’s Matt LaGrassa opened the scoring late in the first half. In the 43rd minute, midfield captain found a Chase Minter cross and powered it off the crossbar, down off the Anteater goalie, and into the net. It was LaGrassa’s team-leading fifth goal of the season.

La Grassa was everywhere in this game. On at least three occasions, the midfielder tracked back to make goal-saving clearances in the box. He was also at the crux of Cal Poly’s possession in the midfield and one of the main reasons the Mustangs looked so great in the first half.

In the second half, Irvine shut-down the center of the pitch, squeezing LaGrassa and Steve Palacios and forcing Cal Poly out wide.

Missed opportunity

After controlling most of the first half, Cal Poly was put on their heels in the second half — played mostly in their defensive half. Irvine had multiple opportunities throughout the half. Cal Poly goalie Wade Hamilton stretched to make eight saves — including a few sprawling ones after halftime.

In the 53rd minute, Cal Poly had a chance to get a stranglehold on the game. John Chronopolis was fouled in the box and stepped-up to take a penalty kick against Irvine’s Michael Breslin. Chronopolis rushed his kick a little and Breslin guessed right, diving toward the right post. The shot was well-placed, but Breslin was there to stop and control the ball.

The impressive save by Breslin was his only save of the second half, but surely the biggest one of the game.

Momentum Shift

From there on, the Anteaters really squeezed Cal Poly’s possession game and made them a little one-dimensional. Irvine attacked Cal Poly defenders and midfielders with constant pressure after halftime, and in the 76th minute, all of Irvine’s possession and pressure finally paid-off. Marlo Ortiz did the honors, scoring his first goal of the season on a rocket into the upper-corner. Hamilton had no chance and the game was tied.

Cal Poly had some good opportunities late, but couldn’t find the back of the net. Sophomore Justin Dhillon continues to get shots from places that aren’t quite as dangerous as he’d like. Dhillon managed a team-high five shots (three on-goal), but didn’t find the back of the net. Like last weekend’s home game, this one was a sister-kisser.

The weekend’s not over

Cal Poly hosts Cal State Northridge on Sunday at about 3:00pm as part of an afternoon doubleheader with the women’s team (the women’s home conference opener is scheduled for noon at. The Matadors beat the Mustangs twice last season, including the first round of the Big West Conference Tournament. Sagi Lev-Ari might be the most dynamic striker in the conference and will test the Cal Poly defense.

Aaaand the pitch

The field looked in pretty solid shape last night. Some turf came up, but it seemed to be pretty true. After a football game Saturday and the women’s soccer game on Sunday afternoon, I’ll be interested to see what shape the field stays in for Sunday’s men’s game.

Photos by Owen Main