POMONA, Calif. – Down to the final 103 seconds, the nationally-ranked Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer team pulled off a dramatic win over Chico State with a late score from freshman Nadeer Ghantous.

The Broncos improve to 8-1-3 overall and 5-1-2 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) while dropping Chico State to 4-6-2 overall and 2-4-1 in league action. CPP now owns a five-match winning streak and has moved into second place in the CCAA standings.

The winning goal proved to be the first collegiate score for Ghantous, a freshman from Hifa, Israel. After a free kick from Mathew Perez along the left side, Christian Gonzalez Diaz popped up a header further into the box. Ghantous used his height and leaping ability to knock a header into the back of the net at the 88:17 mark.

The Broncos' defense held tough through the remainder as CPP secured the 2-1 victory. It ended up as a comeback win for the home team after falling behind early 1-0.

After a CPP defender took down a Wildcats' player in the box, a penalty kick was awarded. Matt Hurlow converted the attempt, sliding a shot just past the outstretched arms of Broncos' goalkeeper Fernando Pablo Quevedo.

Despite Chico taking the 1-0 lead, CPP rallied later in the half. With a few Broncos' attackers charging up the field, Michael Torres slipped a through pass into the box. Christian Gonzalez Diaz received it and lined a shot past the Wildcats' keeper to even the score at 1-1.

In the 2-1 victory for CPP, goalkeeper Fernando Pablo Quevedo collected two saves.

The Broncos will return to action on Friday with a 3 p.m. road match at Cal State Monterey Bay. The Otters have moved up to .500 in conference play with a 4-4 record.