I did a lot of chewing over the holiday weekend. Yes, turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie were on the menu, but I also chewed on what I want this site to be. More on that in a bit.

First off, I’ve been chewing on some potentially juicy Cal Poly Athletics innuendo. Last week, I read this tweet from KSBY’s sports director, Matt SantaMaria:

Hearing there could be a new soccer coach at Cal Poly in next few weeks. Also hearing it's a name 'casual fans will recognize'. #Mustangs

— Matt SantaMaria (@MattSantaMaria) November 26, 2014

For whatever reason, I have an inexplicable interest in both Cal Poly men’s soccer and the game around the world, so the wheels in my mind were quickly turning. There aren’t many people in the game of soccer that “casual fans” would recognize.

Landon Donovan is retiring this season — what if he wanted to go coach somewhere?

No, that was silly.

What about another recently retired player? Nobody came to mind. So, I did what any inquisitive fan does: I went to the Internet.

I found a few things there. Someone who is usually pretty intuitive about things like this — but wouldn’t have any firsthand knowledge — pointed me in the direction of a forum where someone linked former US Men’s National Team head coach, Steve Sampson, to the vacant Cal Poly coaching job.

If you google “Steve Sampson Cal Poly,” what you get is a YouTube video from Cal Poly’s sister school in Pomona, where Sampson visited practice a while back.

Sampson, who was a highly-successful coach with the LA Galaxy after his national team career, coached at Santa Clara early in his career, where he won a co-national title in 1989. One of his players at Santa Clara was departed Mustang head coach, Paul Holocher. Recently, Sampson has been running the Steve Sampson Soccer Academy, located in Southern California. Combine his player development academy in the region and the fact that Holocher and he have a connection, and it would make sense for Sampson to at least have an awareness of the program.

Is it just me, or is the Cal Poly program ready to make a big next step? By Owen Main

While the Mustangs haven’t been able to do much in any recent postseason, it would seem to be a desirable spot in terms of a student and local fan-base. The team has a talented group of players returning next season and it’s possible some of them have even had contact with Sampson or his academy in the past.

If Sampson was motivated to get back into the college soccer scene, there are worse places to be than the Big West, at Cal Poly.

Here’s where I’m going to finish my thought from the first paragraph of this post. With all the talk recently of 14 year-olds “breaking” baseball news, I definitely did not want to have any pretenses about what this post is. So let me be clear, this is speculation, based on a tweet and some posts I found on the Internet. It should be taken for what it is.

So, why am I writing it, posting it, and putting it out into the ether? First of all, it’s already out there. I didn’t have to look very hard to find it. More importantly, trying to figure out who a coach who “casual fans will recognize” can be a fun exercise. I’m acknowledging that no actual news has been broken and that what I’m writing here is pure speculation, but isn’t that one of the fun things about being a fan of a program? If you think you know better and want to contribute and tell us who you think it should be, there’s a place to do that below.

Whether it’s Sampson, Phil Ruskin, or someone else, Cal Poly will hire someone they think is capable and I will be really excited to talk to that person about their outlook and plan for the team. Next year’s team will have at least 11 upperclassmen who have played significant roles in past seasons. They have their eyes on competing for a conference title and they need a coach.

If it’s Sampson, it would probably make news across the college soccer scene. As a former National Team coach, Sampson would instantly become the highest profile coach on-campus. It’s clear that students want to be excited about the soccer team, but the program has been in limbo with an interim coach and the sooner they can hire a head coach, the faster they can get focused on next season, when they’ll have the goalkeeper of the year, midfielder of the year, and two-time first-team all-conference player back.

I’ve documented my feelings about Phil Ruskin. I think he did a decent job under what were very tough circumstances with a pretty thin lineup. Whenever it happens, he will make a very good Division I head coach. Hell, for all I know, it could be at Cal Poly next season — maybe the “casual fans” refers to casual fans at Cal Poly… .

If you are, however, standing in Don Oberhelman’s shoes and you have an opportunity to make a hire that is “a name casual fans will recognize,” then I think you have to do it. Until then, Cal Poly soccer fans will remain on pins and needles.

What other names who are out there would be recognizable to casual fans? Would your perception of the program at Cal Poly change significantly if someone like Steve Sampson came on-board? Comment below.

Along with Justin Dhillon, Ari Lassiter headlined a talented freshman recruiting class for Cal Poly this season. By Owen Main

Cal Poly had its highest-ever rated recruiting last year – a testament to the program head coach Paul Holocher continues to build. A big reason for the team’s highly-rated class of freshmen has been the blue-green rivalry game and the Mustangs’ success over the past few years.

Cal Poly attacker Justin Dhillon was ranked as the number-eight recruit in the nation. One look at the rivalry and his mind was made-up.

“On my official visit I came during this game and went in the locker room with the team and everything and we ended up winning and the fans rushed the field,” said Dhillon. “When I got home, I was like, ‘Mom, dad, I have to come to this school. I have to be a part of this.’ So, it was pretty awesome to be a part of it. I mean I’ve been looking forward to it for a whole year.”

While UCSB has been to two National Championship games over the past decade, the more recent two-sided nature of the rivalry has had an effect on high-profile recruits for Cal Poly. Freshman Ari Lassiter, who is second on the Mustangs with 13 points and third on the squad with five goals this season was also at last year’s final leg of Cal Poly’s first season sweep of UCSB in recent memory.

“I was at the one last year — the one here at home that we won,” said Lassiter.

George Malki put the game-winner home in the second half and the crowd stormed the field as time ran-out. How big of a determining factor was it in Lassiter’s decision to come to Cal Poly?

“It’s a huge factor,” said Lassiter. “Who wouldn’t want to come to play in a packed stadium? They’re just behind you, behind the team, and it makes it so much easier to play.”

Despite the tie, Holocher has to be happy about the atmosphere that has become a staple at the UCSB game and has begun to spill over into other home games as well.

“I’m really very proud of the Cal Poly fans for coming out,” said Holocher. “This is a great rivalry and it was an exciting game. Unfortunately we weren’t able to get the winner tonight, but we’re proud of the effort.”

Fan Photos below by Owen Main

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

Cal Poly freshman Justin Dhillon (11) celebrates after his first-half goal on Friday night. By Owen Main

The old saying goes, “a tie is like kissing your sister.” Cal Poly and UCSB learned how a Blue-Green tie truly feels, ending knotted at one goal apiece on Friday night in front of a sold-out 11,075 fans at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

In a hotly-contested match, Cal Poly scored early, gave up a goal at the end of the first half, and held-on for a 1-1 tie.

The game featured big plays by freshmen on both sides. Cal Poly’s Justin Dhillon began the scoring in the ninth minute. The tallest Mustang on the pitch, Dhillon headed a George Malki corner kick past UCSB goalkeeper Josh McNeely to give Cal Poly an early 1-0 lead. The Mustangs would give up the lead when UCSB’s Achille Campion found the back of the net in the final minute of the first half to tie the score. It would be the final goal of the match for either side.

“It was incredible,” said Dhillon of his first Blue-Green Rivalry experience as a player. “The fans here are awesome. I love representing my school and especially scoring a goal in front of them was unbelievable.”

With a relatively small team, Cal Poly’s corner kicks don’t usually get sent straight into the box, but Dhillon, the tallest field player on the pitch for the Mustangs, took advantage. The play that led to Dhillon’s goal was contrary to  how Cal Poly generally wants to play.

“We wanted to move the ball and the reality of tonight is that we had a very very difficult time communicating with the players on the field with all the noise,” said Holocher, who couldn’t give usual instructions on corner kicks. “So, for whatever reason, we played more direct than we normally do.

“It was a great goal. Really well-placed corner by George and [Dhillon] headed it down which is great. It’s good for him as a freshman to get a goal in this kind of environment.”

Dhillon’s ball squirted past the UCSB keeper and he and the team sprinted toward the Mustang Manglers section.

“George crossed the ball off a corner and I headed it home,” said Dhillon. “I just took off on a full sprint. I may have been tired but all that kind of slipped away, I was so excited, the adrenalyne was rushing through everything and it was unbelievable.”

With the tie, UCSB failed to win for the first time in 2013 Big West play. The Gauchos came into the game on a seven-game winning streak.

“They are number-one in our conference,” said Dhillon of the Gauchos.  “They are a very good team and I think we put up a good performance against them and ended up being the first [team] they’ve not won against in nine games.”

Two of Cal Poly’s seniors – George Malki and Chris Bernardi – team-up in their final home version of the Blue-Green Rivalry. By Owen Main

Holocher gave credit to UCSB after the game when asked how good they really are.

“I think they’re good enoguh to make a run in the NCAA playoffs for sure,” said Holocher. “I think they can beat anybody. They’ve got enough good, strong, big, physical individual players that make things difficult.”

For eight Cal Poly seniors, this was their final home edition of the Blue-Green Rivalry. It left some with a bitter taste.

“I’m definitely hurting inside, but I know my team and myself left everything on the field tonight and some things just didn’t go our way,” said Mackenzie Pridham, the Big West’s reigning Offensive Player of the Year and current goals leader.

Home fans and the Mustangs themselves were poised for a game-winning goal and a raucous student section having an opportunity to rush the field. Instead, fans had to settle for the tie.

“I kind of feel empty, in a way,” said Malki. “I’m glad we came out with a tie, but I’m disappointed that we didn’t come out with a win.”

Freshmen, though, may have played the two biggest roles in the game and cemented their roles in this matchup for years to come. Dhillon scored his second career goal and on the UCSB side, the freshman goalie, McNeely made his impact felt as well.

“Their goalkeeper had an unbelievable game,” said Pridham. “In my opinion he came up with four or five big-time game-changing saves. He had three or four on me, one on Ari, and a copule other big-time ones. He was on it.”

Cal Poly and UCSB play again on November 9th in the regular-season finale in Isla Vista. The game will be televised on Fox Sports West.

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

Mackenzie Pridham blasts the game-winning goal on Sunday afternoon vs. Yale. By Owen Main

The first Cal Poly soccer match I went to this year was a dud. The Mustangs looked listless, didn’t create many good chances, and lost to Gonzaga in overtime. It looked like it was happening all over again.

On Sunday, it looked nearly like a carbon copy of the Gonzaga match, except Yale took advantage of Cal Poly’s mistakes and went ahead 2-0 at halftime. While they had the run of play, they used a lot of less-effective long passes and were to crack the middle part of the final third of the field. A defensive mistake by Cal Poly and a timely counter fr

Connor Drechsler put Cal Poly within 2-1 early in the second half on a cross from Chris Bernardi. Bernardi, who comes off the bench for Holocher, has looked like the fastest, most effective Mustang with the best first touch in the two games I’ve been to this season. In short, he puts a lot of pressure on defenders. Dreschler has three career goals on only three career shots on goal.

During the final 20 minutes of the second half, Yale did everything they could to legally bleed the clock. As Cal Poly’s offense started to turn up the pressure, two Bulldogs went down with what seemed like leg cramps. They subbed players every few minutes. They took their time on free kicks.

But in the end, it wasn’t enough.

With less than 90 seconds left in the match, sophomore Matt LaGrassa fired a left-footed blast into the right side of the net to tie the match. Yale’s collective hands went to their heads. Mustangs players climbed briefly onto the barrier with the stands in front of the Mustang Manglers section.

In overtime, Cal Poly persevered. Mackenzie Pridham, who had played a very physical second half, finally found himself free and quickly buried the game-winner past Yale keeper Blake Brown in the 100th minute to cap the comeback.

Chase Minter celebrates with Matt LaGrassa (20) after LaGrassa’s game-tying goal. By Owen Main

The final 55 minutes of the match– the second half and overtime — were a dominant display by Cal Poly. As discussed in my soccer preview, if the Mustangs are going to have any chance at the Big West title, careless mistakes at the back line cannot happen. A team like UCSB, Davis, or Cal State Northridge will be nearly impossible to come back on from 2-0 down in a game like Sunday’s.

I always find Paul Holocher’s comments about style of play interesting. While Yale consistently played in the second half with 8 players behind the ball defensively, Cal Poly did their best to keep the field open, maintain possession, and use the whole pitch.

I would rather lose trying to play this way than win in another way. I think our fans appreciate how we get things done as much as the outcome,” said Holocher.

In other words, the team needs to get better at the style of play, particularly with turnovers deep in the defensive zone. Holocher’s team will play two games in Colorado next week before starting conference play.

Photos by Owen Main

[See image gallery at www.fansmanship.com]

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Pridham’s Goal – Video

It’s not just football.

Yes, the Cal Poly football team has high expectations this year, but all three teams who play their fall home games at Alex G. Spanos Stadium at Cal Poly have strong postseason aspirations. Here’s a look at the men’s and women’s soccer teams at Cal Poly and how their seasons could be as good as (if not better than) the football team.

Men’s Soccer

Mackenzie Pridham scored the second most goals in the Big West last season and has his sights set on a big senior season. By David Livingston

Coach Paul Holocher’s team is on the upswing. After a 2012 season during which they beat rival UCSB twice, went 11-7-1 overall, and reached the Big West Tournament semifinal match, this year’s team loses only three key contributors from a season ago.

While Ian Clark, Dakota Collins, Benny Estes, and Chris Gaschen all made positive contributions to Cal Poly’s changeover to an “FC Barcelona” style of play, Holocher’s top-40 recruiting class this season is probably the program’s best ever.

Meet the Freshmen

The freshman class starts with top-10 national recruite Justin Dhillon. Dhillon, whose brother Sean will be a redshirt freshman this season, brings promise of a fast, skilled wing player to take the place of Gaschen in Cal Poly’s fast-paced attack.

Ari Lassiter is another name soccer fans might recognize. His father, Roy, was a member of the US National Team, appearing in 30 games for his country throughout his career.

Add striker Kaba Alkebulan, midfielder Joseph Bolous, midfielder Brett Foreman, and goalkeeper Eric Kam, and there is good reason for optimism for Cal Poly.

Senior Leadership

While last year’s team boasted a few seniors in key positions, the 2013 Mustangs will depend on seniors all over the pitch. Mackenzie Pridham, the 2012 Big West offensive player of the year, returns up front for Cal Poly. Last year, he notched 11 goals.  Midfielder George Malki, who scored one of the most electrifying goals in Cal Poly history to help beat UCSB in Isla Vista a year ago also returns along with fellow seniors Ronald Medrano Williams (MF), Chris Bernardi (F), Mike Hocker (MF), Connor Drechsler (D), Kevin Atkins (MF) and Brett Finkelstein (G), who returns to compete with sophomore Wade Hamilton for net-minder duties.

Last season, Hamilton earned all-Big West Honorable Mention for his play.

The Back Line Could be the Key

For all the talk about the FC Barcelona style of play the Mustangs have adopted, the focus has been on midfielders and forwards. Last season, Cal Poly nearly doubled their goal output from the previous year, scoring 26 goals (they only netted 15 in 2011).

But the ball control, possession-oriented attack they are trying to build depends on defenders and midfielders reading the field and making the right pass. Mistakes from defenders can and will prove costly. Even with the “attractive” style of play the Mustangs are sure to bring, the sure play of defenders will be as big a variable as any other in determining this team’s season result.

The Big West North is TOUGH

The Big West’s Northern Division includes recent national champion and arch-rival UCSB, defending conference champion UC Davis, and Sacramento State, who Cal Poly only managed one point against in two matches last season. To even make the playoffs, the Mustangs will have to be playing their best soccer at the right time.

The coaches preseason poll ranked Cal Poly 3rd in the Northern Division, behind UCSB and UC Davis respectively. The poll results were close, though, and if newcomers like Justin Dhillon can make an immediate impact, the Mustangs can go into the final few games of conference play contending for the division title.

Women’s Soccer

OK, I’ll admit it, I’m a little late on the women’s soccer side of things. I’ll also admit that I’ve watched them play already, though I don’t know how much I learned in their 3-0 defeat of Loyola Marymount. Here’s what I do know about Alex Crozier’s squad.

Sarah Lancaster scoots the first Cal Poly goal of 2013 past the LMU keeper on Friday night. By Owen Main

They were good last season

The women’s team went (9-7-3) overall last season, (6-1-2) in the Big West, but lost to Cal State Northridge 1-0 in the Big West Tournament.

This season, the Mustangs return their leading goal scorer from last season, Elise Krieghoff. Krieghoff’s freshman season was one to remember. She scored 11 goals and notched 22 points in only 15 games, earning Big West Conference Freshman of the Year and first-team All Conference honors.

In their first game…

In the first game of the 2013 season last Friday night against Loyola Marymount, Cal Poly earned a 3-0 victory. Krieghoff managed to get off 8 shots in the game, including her first goal of 2013.

Krieghoff will be the rock at the top and should put lots of pressure on defenses, but a few other players impressed in the first game of the season. Tracy Hong, a junior defender looked quick and assertive in possession on Friday night — a good sign for a wing back.

Senior Jordyn Zander looked strong from the midfield, supporting a balanced offensive attack for Cal Poly. Sarah Lancaster, an attacking midfielder, scored the game’s first goal and had the speed and possession to push the ball up the right hand side into the attacking zone. Sophomore goalkeeper Alyssa Giannetti looked comfortable in goal after starting there most of her freshman campaign.

Elise Krieghoff will be Cal Poly’s main goal-scoring threat once again this season. By Owen Main

The Schedule

Alex Crozier’s team is set to play a pretty remarkable preseason schedule. Three of their first four games are at home — all against non-conference teams from California.

Then they hit the road for the remainder of their non-conference schedule. Six straight games. Three straight weekends.

Their opponents will include Baylor, Texas A&M, Oregon State, Seattle, Saint Mary’s, and Santa Clara. By the time they open conference play at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on October 4 vs. Long Beach State, Cal Poly will have gone nearly a month without a home match.

Conference Outlook

So much in women’s soccer seems to hinge on star players, and Cal Poly does have that in Krieghoff. Last season, the Mustangs had a fantastic conference regular season, scoring 4 or more goals in four of nine games. This season, don’t look for it to be that easy. Opposing teams will key on Krieghoff. Look for players like Lancaster, Sarah Epps, and Lauren Heer to benefit from the space that will open-up.

Alex Crozier is a 21st year coach with a winning pedigree. So many things depend on players health and new faces in the conference, but expect Crozier to have his team ready to be in the running for a Big West Conference title once again this year.

Paul Holocher looks on during spring practice this week. By Owen Main

It isn’t just the football team that gets to play in the spring. If you are out on the turf fields at the upper sports complex early in the morning, you will find that soccer players are sharing the vast fields with the football team, bundled-up as the strong canyon breeze makes the early morning air frigid.

Head Coach Paul Holocher’s men’s soccer team had what was probably their best recruiting class ever. The centerpiece of the incoming class is Justin Dhillon, a striker from Southern California whose brother is also on the Mustangs’ roster. With strong winds blowing across the practice field, I talked to coach Holocher about the spring, the outlook for the 2013 regular season, competitions for playing time for both strikers and goalkeepers, and the upcoming spring game against Stanford.

Cal Poly Soccer vs. Stanford, Saturday, April 20, 7:00 PM

Cal Poly’s Chris Gaschen races a UC Davis defender to the ball on Tuesday night at Alex G. Spanos Stadium. Photo by David Livingston

Coaches say it a lot. It’s just about winning this game.

With a 1-0 win over UC Davis (second in the Big West North Division standings) on Tuesday night, Paul Holocher’s men’s soccer team kept themselves in the Big West playoff hunt. All four teams from the North are within 3 points of one another. Three points are awarded for each conference win.

Midfielder Nolan Moore tapped in a rebound in the 26th minute for his first goal of the year. Freshman goalkeeper Wade Hamilton made four saves to secure the 1-0 with for the Mustangs. Cal Poly was out-shot 15-9, but Moore’s tap-in was the difference.

KSBY’s Highlights here

Cal Poly heads South on the 101 for their game at UCSB Friday night.

Depending on the outcome of the UC Davis – Sacramento State game, the winner of the game could potentially go into a 3-way first place tie and the loser could potentially be six points back with only three games to play. If you’re going to go, bring your tortilla shields.

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Cal Poly junior forward Mackenzie Pridham scored the golden goal on Sunday in overtime. The goal was his second of the game and team-leading 7th of the season. Photo by David Livingston

Cal Poly junior forward Mackenizie Pridham scored his team-leading sixth and seventh goals of the season in a shootout Sunday afternoon as Cal Poly beat UC Irvine in an overtime thriller. After giving up a 1-0 and 2-1 lead to the Anteaters, Pridham poked in a cross from Chase Minter past UC Irvine keeper Michael Breslin for the golden goal.

The conference victory came on the heels of a disappointing 1-0 loss to Cal State Northridge on Friday night. After being shut-out for the first time in conference play this year, the Mustangs pushed the tempo much more on both sides of the field. Cal Poly piled-up 15 shots — six of them on-goal. Pridham led the team with six shots and lead the Mustangs with seven goals on the season.

Cal Poly keeper Wade Hamilton made six saves as UC Irvine matched the Mustangs’ 15 shots throughout the match. Cal Poly’s win evens their conference record at 2-2 and improves their season record to 7-5-0.

After being shut-out 9 times last season and scoring only 15 goals in 18 games, the Mustangs have turned their offense around with a new system based on the style of FC Barcelona. This season, Cal Poly already has 18 goals in only 12 games.

Next week, Cal Poly visits Sacramento State on Friday before returning home next Tuesday to face UC-Davis.

Photos by David Livingston

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Cal Poly lost a tough match vs. Cal State Northridge on Friday night. Photo by David Livingston

Cal Poly men’s soccer coach Paul Holocher is working on implementing a new style. He has been talking about it since a preseason trip to Barcelona. His players have been energized by the new style and Cal Poly soccer fans are seeing more goals. While the transition process to the new style is firmly in-place, the results aren’t always there.

On Friday night, Cal State Northridge used a first-minute goal, packed defenders back, and held on for a 1-0 win. Cal Poly had numerous scoring opportunities. Most noteably, Chris Gaschen saw a shot ricochet off the right post during the second half.

In an interesting interview, Holocher was quiet after the game, but also seemed determined to not let a loss in a single game change the type of style he wants the Mustangs to play. Again, definitely worthwhile to take a listen. (Sorry for the slightly blurry video).

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEcHIuTY3-g

Photos by David Livinston

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Mustangs goal keeper Chase Hauser makes a flying attempt to punch the ball out of danger. After giving up a first-half goal, the Mustangs came back to defeat the Crimson 2-1. Photo by David Livingston

Cal Poly forward Ian Clark did not start the Mustangs’ first ever match with Ivy League visitor Harvard. While Clark was only on the field for 28 minutes at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on Friday night, his contribution helped turn a one-goal defecit into a 2-1 Cal Poly victory in front of a season-high home crowd of 3,592.

The Mustang faithful were put on their heels in the first half. Zach Wolfenson dribbled around three Cal Poly defenders and slid a shot past Cal Poly keeper Chase Hauser. It was the first time Cal Poly had been behind in 388 minutes. The last time the Mustangs were down in a game was August 26 during their 2-0 loss at Washington. Since then, the Mustangs have won five in a row, including the first four of a five-game homestand.

In the 33rd minute, Harvard keeper Evan Mendez was issued a red card for handling the ball outside the penalty box. With the backup keeper on the field, Clark struck a goal (his 2nd of the season) in the 53rd minute on a cross from George Malki. In the 73rd minute, Chris Bernardi blasted his 3rd goal of the season off a pass from Chase Minter. Bernardi’s strike turned out to be the game-winner.

The final game of the Mustangs’ five-game homestand is tomorrow (Sunday) at 4:00 pm at Alex G. Spanos Stadium against 12th-ranked UCLA. The Bruins tied 3rd-ranked UCSB on Friday night 1-1. The UCLA game will mark the finale of the Nike Central Coast Challenge.

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