AZUSA, Calif. – After playing 110 minutes without a goal on Tuesday, the Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer team was not ready to walk away empty-handed on Thursday at Azusa Pacific.
In the 102nd minute, junior midfielder
Dante Medina knocked in the game-winning goal to lift the Broncos to a 1-0 victory over the host Cougars. The result improves CPP to a 2-1-1 mark while APU falls to 0-1-2.
It marked the second goal of the year for Medina, a transfer from Cal State Fullerton. After given a short pass from sophomore
Sergio Martinez, Medina spun and shot high inside the far post while falling away. The APU goalkeeper didn't stand a chance and the CPP bench players stormed the field as the game-winning ball rattled inside the net. The assist from Martinez was his first career point as a Bronco.
Both teams increased the number of scoring chances in the second half. With about 24 minutes remaining in regulation,
Jose Garcia dribbled into the box and sent a close-range shot just to the right of the post.
About five minutes later,
Sergi Monso ripped a shot from about 15 yards out but the ball rolled to the left of the net. The Cougars rallied for a scoring opportunity late in regulation but a shot from Raul Martinez was saved by CPP goalkeeper
Jason Trejos to keep the 0-0 score intact.
Trejos collected a total of three saves, all of which came in the second half. Thursday's win marked the third shutout of the season for the Broncos.
Up next, CPP will wrap up non-conference play with a two-match homestand. The next contest is Saturday at 7 p.m. when the Broncos host Dominican at Kellogg Field.
