POMONA, Calif. –  With efficiency and patience on offense, the Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer team secured a 3-1 season-opening victory over Academy of Art Thursday at Kellogg Field.

Three Broncos scored their first career goals, with Michael Torres, Abraham Gomez and Kris Korich finding the back of the net. Gomez, a senior midfielder from Chula Vista, Calif., assisted on the first score of the contest and then knocked in the eventual game-winner in the 65th minute.

The result also marked the first career victory for interim head coach Erik Garcia and now, CPP takes a 1-0-0 record into a Saturday home match against Point Loma Nazarene. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m.

"We showed improvement in the second half and the guys worked together," Garcia said. "We need to keep improving and sharpen our game to stay consistent through all 90 minutes."

The Broncos outshot AAU on Thursday, 13-6. The Urban Knights earned five corner kicks to CPP's one but the visitors couldn't capitalize on those reset opportunities.

The hosts got on the scoreboard first at the 8:53 mark, with the play getting started on a pass from Gomez to Brandon Cortez up the left side. Cortez dribbled into the 18-yard box and ripped a hard shot into the arms of AAU goalkeeper Ian Sutherland. The ball bounced away from Sutherland though and Torres quickly got possession on the rebound before slipping the ball to the left of the keeper for a 1-0 lead.

The Urban Knights knocked in the equalizer about midway through the first half. Aron Ekberg used his speed to get to the left corner and sent a cross to the right side of the box. Jesus Sanchez stopped the ball and curled a shot over the head of CPP senior goalkeeper Kris Minton into the left corner of the net.

Despite the Broncos losing the lead and taking a 1-1 score into halftime, the hosts stayed controlled with their tempo. The patience on the attack brought dividends as CPP rallied for two scores in a two-minute and 15-second span between the 64:16 and 66:31 marks.

The go-ahead scoring play was initiated by a smart header pass from Christopher Rosales, who stood at the top of the 18-yard box. His pass sailed to Gomez, who sent a header into the right side of the net past the leaping goalkeeper. Just minutes later, CPP added an insurance score. Tony Bichai found Korich with a nice cross to the far post and Korich knocked in a hard shot from about six yards to push the Broncos' edge to 3-1.

The Urban Knights' best chance to trim the lead came in the 80th minute when Frederik Nagel slid in for a shot attempt. The ball bounced off the ground and then caromed up to hit the crossbar and bounce over the net. AAU couldn't capitalize on the resulting corner kick as CPP continued to hold the visitors scoreless through the second half.