Cal Poly sophomore midfielder Christian Enriquez met with his coaches and team today to officially announce his intention to leave the team and school to pursue a professional opportunity. 

Over the weekend, Enriquez posted the following to his Instagram account, thanking teammates and coaches. He has an opportunity it seems, and he’s taking it. 

 

I’m deeply saddened to say I’m leaving Cal Poly, but happy to know the past two years have been filled with growth and relationships with great people. I’ve made some brothers and have made memories I’ll cherish forever. This team is family and I’m blessed to have been part of such a great university and soccer program. When opportunities present themselves they might not come again, & I am excited for what’s next. All the best to my teammates and coaches that have supported unconditionally. #CPMS

A post shared by christian enriquez (@c.enriquez10) on Jan 4, 2018 at 8:39pm PST

That opportunity, Enriquez confirmed with Fansmanship.com, is a USL contract in Portland. The Timbers and T2 (what they call their USL team) are familiar with players from Cal Poly. Goalkeeper Wade Hamilton played there last season and is listed on their roster. 

“I’m leaving because it’s a solid opportunity for me to leave school for and it’s something I’ve been chasing since I was three,” said Enriquez. “Coach Sampson agreed it was the right time for me to leave as well.”

Christian Enriquez scores his first collegiate goal against UCSB in 2016. By Owen Main

As a freshman, Enriquez was the Big West Freshman of the Year, scoring a long goal at home against UCSB and being the centerpiece of Cal Poly’s developing attack under head coach Steve Sampson. During the offseason, Enriquez was invited to train with the U-19 National Team three times. In 2017, he picked up a an early leg injury that limited his time and effectiveness throughout the season. The USL schedule starts toward the end of March, though T2 hasn’t posted a 2018 schedule yet. 

For photos of soccer and more click here. If you just want to contribute to the cause, Venmo @Owen-Main or paypal owen@fansmanship.com. 

At the Paso Robles Horse Park, the Cal Poly men’s soccer team defeated Fresno Pacific 4-0 Wednesday evening in their final tune-up before kicking off the season next Friday in Indiana. 

Three Stars

Christian Enriquez is a sophomore, but he’ll be Cal Poly soccer’s field general from the midfield this season. By Owen Main

Sophomore midfielder Christian Enriquez started the scoring within the first few minutes. He collected a bouncing ball just outside the box and calmly slotted it past the Sunbird keeper, who was caught in no man’s land about five yards away.

Enriquez helped Cal Poly double their lead a few minutes later, playing a no-look through ball to junior college transfer forward Sean Goode. Goode did what he’s done every time I’ve seen him — that is score on his chances. 

Senior Kaba Alkebulan subbed into the game late in the first half and made an immediate impact with his speed. Kaba took a ball over the top down the left side, turned in and right footed it into the goal. Just after halftime, Alkebulan doubled up, scoring a pretty similar goal. 

Enriquez and Kaba are a clear one and two. Eddie Melgoza was my number three. Melgoza started in central midfield and led the back line to a clean sheet. Other defenders did rotate in and out, but Melgoza seems to be settling into a central defender role after playing on the left side most of his freshman year. 

Hoosier-bound

Cal Poly starts their season against two top-10 teams at a tournament in South Bend, Indiana at Notre Dame. First, they’ll face #7 Indiana on Friday August 25th, followed by a match the following Sunday vs. the hosts — #10 Notre Dame. Their opening road trip also features games at the Big East’s Georgetown and #6 Maryland. 

Decent results in those four road games should give the Mustangs the benefit of the doubt for an NCAA bid if they’re on the bubble. Playing good teams early is also a great way to prepare for Big West play.

Mustangs tabbed third in the Big West North

Cal Poly was tabbed today to finish third in the Big West North in the conference’s preseason poll released today. Since there are only four teams in the conference’s North Division, being picked third isn’t great. 

If you look at last season’s performance, thinking of Cal Poly as a third place team in the division might be reasonable. The Mustangs have nearly 20 new players on their roster as they try to bounce back from (5-9-3) overall record (3-5-2 in Big West play).

Predictably, UCSB was pegged as the favorite in the North. UC Davis was picked second, followed by Cal Poly and Sacramento State. Cal State Northridge was picked first in the South followed by Cal State Fullerton, UC Riverside, and UC Irvine. 

Photos by Owen Main. To view the entire gallery, click here.