Mustang Women start 2-0 in Big West

In a physical match, Cal poly junior midfielder Andrea Zimkowski takes the brunt of this collision. Zimkowski attended high school at St. Joseph’s in Santa Maria. Photo by David Livingston

The Cal Poly women’s soccer team has had to adjust to injuries and simplify their style of play recently. After going 0-5 in their last two non-conference games, head coach Alex Crozier’s Mustangs have adjusted to a 4-4-2 formation to win their first two Big West matches by a combines score of 5-1.

On Sunday, freshman Elise Krieghoff scored her third goal of the weekend and sixth of the season to lead Cal Poly to a 1-0 victory over UC Davis in front of the largest home crowd of the season.

The match was a physical one that was marked by lots of chances and only one quality finish. The strike came in the 12th minute when Krieghoff took one deft touch with her foot on a high rebound and slotted a shot home into the corner of the net. It was Krieghoff’s third goal of the weekend.

While Krieghoff’s strike was the only goal of the match, there could have been many more. Cal Poly Goalie Alyssa Giannetti made 4 saves including at least two on 1-1 chances for the Aggies.

“She saved our butts a few times,” said Cal Poly head coach Alex Crozier.

Davis had most of their scoring opportunities late and Cal Poly had a number of open looks at the Davis net throughout the game. Cal Poly out-shot the Aggies 14-7 for the match and UC Davis keeper Taylor Jern made 3 saves of her own.

Krieghoff’s third goal of the weekend earned her Big West Conference Player of the Week honors.

Cal Poly, now 5-5-1 on the season (2-0 in conference), travels to Southern California next weekend to face UC Irvine and Long Beach State.

 Photos by David Livingston

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