For Paul Holocher’s Cal Poly men’s soccer team, a new system this season has led to a slew of Big West Conference honors. Now, the Mustangs will face a new challenge: success in the Big West Conference Tournament.

Cal Poly junior Mackenzie Pridham was named 2012 Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Photo by Owen Main

Junior forward Mackenzie Pridham led the Mustangs in goals (11), goals in conference (8) and game-winning goals (6). Pridham’s 11 goals mark just the third time in 19 Division-1 seasons that a Cal Poly player has reached double-digits in goals. In doing so, he was named Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Year. Led by Pridham, Cal Poly’s scoring attack has notched 24 goals and has only been shut-out 3 times.

From 2011 to 2012, Pridham’s goal tally improved from two to 11. Part of the reason might be due to hair choice. I didn’t even recognize Pridham in this picture from the Tribune, taken I think last season. In it, Pridham is sporting some soccer-locks. I’d compare him with some like-afro’d professional player, but I can’t think of one right now. This year, Pridham has gone clean-cut, maybe more aerodynamic, and definitely more successful.

Cal Poly had several other all-conference selections. Joining Pridham on the first-team is sophomore defender Nolan Moore. Cal Poly averaged only 1 goal per game allowed this season with a relatively young defense, anchored by Moore.

Junior George Malki and senior Benny Estes were selected to the All-Conference Second Team. Malki scored four goals during the year an tallied 11 points. His tying goal at UCSB with less than 2 minutes left sent the game into overtime, where Pridham beat UCSB with a golden goal. Malki also scored the game-winner at home to seal the Mustangs’ 1-0 victory marking the first season sweep of UCSB since the late 90’s.

Senior midfielder Chris Gaschen, this week’s conference Offensive Player of the Week, and freshman Wade Hamilton, this week’s conference Defensive Player of the Week, were Cal Poly’s selections for Honorable Mention All-Conference. Gaschen finished the season third in the Big West with seven assists. Hamilton earned Defensive Player of the Week honors twice this season and was one of two freshman who earned an All-Conference selection, joining Freshman of the Year Ema Boateng from UCSB.

Chris Gaschen (left) and George Malki (right) played important roles in Cal Poly’s surge to qualify for the Big West Tournament, which starts tomorrow. Photo by Owen Main

Pridham’s selection as Offensive Player of the Year may have been a nod to the Big West’s North Division. Pridham was not the top goal-scorer in the conference. That honor went to CSUN’s Savi Leg-Ari, who earned Second-Team All Conference honors. The North Division sported all four teams with point totals that were as good or better than the second-team in the South Division — Cal State Fullerton.

Cal Poly hits the road tomorrow for a Big West Tournament Semifinal matchup in Northridge. The other semifinal is between UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton, in Davis. The highest seed of the two winning teams will host the tournament final on Saturday at 1PM. There is one possible scenario that would include Cal Poly hosting Cal State Fullerton at Spanos Stadium at 1PM, preceding the 6:05 football game vs. Idaho State, also at Spanos.

A Cal Poly sports junkie’s dream…

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Cal Poly’s Chris Gaschen puts pressure on the Army keeper on Sunday afternoon. Photo by David Livingston

In a physical match that featured five yellow cards, an ejection, and a stopped penalty, Cal Poly used an 80th minute Mackenzie Pridham goal to defeat Army 1-0 on Sunday afternoon.

In a game reminiscent of Cal Poly’s win over Valparaiso a week ago, Pridham struck in the 80th minute, heading in a cross from Mike Hocker.

In the 88th minute, Cal Poly’s Benny Estes picked up his second yellow card — this one on a hand-ball in the penalty box — and was ejected.

Army midfielder Michael Kim took the penalty, but was denied by Freshman goalkeeper Wade Hamilton’s diving save. The save was one of three on the day for Hamilton, who preserved the shutout in Cal Poly’s fourth straight victory.

The Mustangs record is now 4-2. Next weekend is a big one for Cal Poly men’s soccer and football. The men’s soccer team plays host to Harvard on Friday night to kick off the Nike Challenge. After the football team hosts Davis on Saturday, UCLA comes to town for another men’s soccer match on Sunday.

Photos by David Livingston

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