LaGrassa’s brace leads Cal Poly to opening win

Matt LaGrassa scored two goals in a game for the first time since 2013. By Owen Main

Matt LaGrassa wears the captain’s arm band for Cal Poly in this, his senior season. On Friday night, he proved why. In Steve Sampson’s first game coaching in college in 25 years, LaGrassa had a goal in each half to lead the Mustangs to a 2-1 victory over defending WAC champions UNLV.

UNLV had the run of possession for much of the game, earning a 10th minute penalty kick. Cal Poly keeper Wade Hamilton guessed the right way, but Bradley Kamdem’s shot rolled wide.

In the 18th minute, Cal Poly broke through. Kip Colvey broke free up the right hand side and served a cross into LaGrassa, who controlled the ball and slotted it past the UNLV keeper to give Cal Poly a 1-0 lead.

UNLV equalized in the 33rd minute. Just seconds after earning a yellow card, Rebel midfielder Kevin Partida drilled a shot past Hamilton and off the far post into the net.

LaGrassa, whose intercepted pass led to the UNLV goal, put Cal Poly back ahead for good in the 47th minute, taking a long pass from Kody Wakasa, shucking a defender, and scoring again.

For the game UNLV out-shot Cal Poly 17-9 and had a number of opportunities to tie the game within the final 20 minutes.

Now 1-0 on the season, Cal Poly will travel to Spokane, WA to play against Gonzaga Thursday and Seattle on Saturday.

Photos below by Owen Main 

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