CHICO, Calif. – Despite trailing 1-0 late in regulation, the Cal Poly Pomona women's soccer team finished with a 2-1 comeback win in overtime at Chico State on Sunday.
After
Emily Sanchez collected the clutch equalizer at the 81:27 mark,
Hailey James netted the game winner in the 100th minute to bring home the victory for CPP. Now 4-4-2 overall and 3-2-1 in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), the Broncos are fifth in the conference standings.
"I'm extremely proud of our team's resilience," head coach
Jay Mason said. "They were able to rebound from a tough start today and put together a complete team effort against a very good and well-coached Chico State team."
The Wildcats got on the scoreboard at the 7:24 mark. A Broncos' foul in the box set up a penalty kick opportunity for Pooja Patel, who knocked in the attempt for her first score of the season.
Through the first 45 minutes of play, CPP trailed in shots 9-5 and had yet to put an attempt on target.
With about one minute remaining in the opening half, a series of stellar passes led to a chance at the top of the box for
Kalin Tomlinson but her shot went just high over the crossbar.
The Broncos reversed the momentum in the second half, outshooting the host squad 11-2 through the final 45 minutes of regulation. In the 82nd minute, Sanchez knocked the ball into the box from just inside the midfield line. The ball bounced over the goalkeeper's head and into the net, tying the score at 1-1.
As the game progressed into overtime, CPP kept the pressure up. With 40 seconds remaining in the first overtime period, James struck with the winning score. The opportunity was set up by a throw-in that led to
Amanda Duran, who made a pass to
Sydney Yates along the endline. Yates delivered a cross into the box and after James made a one-touch move to her left, she sent a shot between the legs of her defender and into the right side of the net.
Both of James' goals this year have proven to be game winners in overtime.
The Broncos will return home to host Stanislaus State on Friday for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. It'll be a "Pack the Stands" event and the first 75 CPP students will receive a free mini USB car charger.
