POMONA, Calif. - The excitement was high at Kellogg Field as the fans got their money's worth in Thursday's home opener for the Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer program. Regulation time ended with a 2-2 score and an overtime goal by
Alexander Turkson provided CPP with the win.
With the victory, the Broncos improve to a 2-0-1 record on the season. Cal Baptist, the visitors to Kellogg Field, fall to 0-3-1 on the year.
"To get a win at home and in the home opener is always great," said head coach
Yossi Raz. "Winning makes everyone feel good. We know that we have a lot we still need to improve on, but we are proud that we were able to come from behind and get the win against a quality opponent. We showed character as a team and were able to prevail on our own field. We are looking forward to correcting what we need to and taking the steps to get better everyday."
The Lancers were first on the board as a shot from Daniel Westholm found the back of the Broncos' net. His goal was scored in the 27th minute and one of just two shots taken on the CPP goal at the time.
With the scoreboard reading just over 33 minutes played, last season's Offensive and Newcomer of the Year for the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA),
Christian Gonzalez Diaz, took advantage of a beautiful pass from Turkson. The senior's shot found its way by the Lancers' goalkeeper and tied the game at 1-1. It was Turkson's first assist on the season.
One more goal would be scored in the first half by CBU with a pass from Wyatt Deane. Aidan Apodaca came out on the better side of a jumble in front of the goal and booted the ball over the diving keeper's head. The goal put the Lancers up 2-1 heading into the halftime break.
As the first two games of the season had shown, newcomer
Sergi Monso is a force to be reckoned with. His offensive prowess had seen him earn two goals in as many games for CPP. In game three, he proves his worth yet again. A goal with just over 10 minutes to go by the Barcelona native provided the Green and Gold with the tying score needed to send the game into overtime. He received an assist from
Eshel Chardon, his first of the season.
At the end of regulation the two teams were all tied up 2-2. In the first two halves, the Broncos outshot the CBU squad 9-6. Both teams' keepers had added a pair of saves to their game resume.
Just seven and a half minutes into the first 10-minute overtime period, the CPP team would earn their win. An impressive bit of offensive deking by Monso gave him yet another assist for the season as a long pass from just inside the corner was placed at the feet of Turkson. The Ghana native simply had to kick it in past a stunned CBU goalie, providing CPP with point No. 3 and the victory.
CPP will take to the road for a Saturday matchup against local rival Azusa Pacific. The game will take place on APU's campus and will have a 2 p.m. start. The Green and Gold will return to Kellogg to host their final non-conference game of the 2015 season on Tuesday with a 1 p.m. start against the Dixie State Red Storm. The first 100 fans in attendance to that game will receive popsicles courtesy of the Cal Poly Pomona athletic department.
