Box Score | POMONA, Calif. – The Cal Poly Pomona offense fell silent at home Friday as the Broncos allowed an early goal to Cal State L.A. and eventually fell 1-0.
Despite matching the Golden Eagles in shots, 10-10, CPP couldn't find the equalizer at Kellogg Field. With the result, the Broncos' records fall to 5-4-4 overall and 3-4-4 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
Because of somewhat favorable results around the league Friday, CPP remains just two points out of the
fourth and final playoff spot. Five regular season games remain before the top four CCAA teams advance to the conference championships.
With CSULA and UC San Diego
tied in the No. 4 spot with 15 points apiece, there are four more squads - including the Broncos - that are within a striking distance of two points. CPP will travel to play the Tritons of UCSD at 2 p.m. Sunday in La Jolla.
The difference maker on Friday at Kellogg Field proved to be Norie Pablo, who scored a 14th-minute goal that ended up being the game winner. After advancing passes from Stephanie Lopez and Heather Williams, Pablo shot a one-timer inside the far post past the oustretched arms of Broncos' goalkeeper
Alex Abbott.
The CPP offense put together a decent number of chances, including one late in the first half that started with a smooth through ball from sophomore midfielder
Mindy Castro. Running into open space inside the 18-yard box,
Alison Sauve shot toward the right side of the net but CSULA goalkeeper Yi Du made a diving stop to keep the lead at 1-0.
Sauve, who finished with a team-high four shots, put another strong attempt on goal about midway through the second half. The placement was a bit toward the center of the target though and Du made the stop to preserve the one-goal advantage.
Paired with a 0-0 draw to Cal State San Bernardino, the Broncos have now gone scoreless through their past two matches. Sunday's opponent - UCSD - was also held off the scoreboard Friday in a 2-0 loss to Cal State Dominguez Hills. More crucial points will be on the line in La Jolla between the Broncos and Tritons.
