WICHITA FALLS, Texas – No. 16-ranked Cal Poly Pomona held onto a 1-0 lead to keep its season alive, upsetting eighth-ranked Midwestern State Sunday in the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
The Broncos improve to 14-4-3 on the year, while the Mustangs end their season at 16-3-1.
MSU had a dangerous opportunity just seven minutes into the game, forcing
Jordan Aldama to make a diving save to keep it out of the net.
Seventeen minutes later, CPP took advantage of a throw in deep in Mustang territory.
Melvyn Perez Cortez hurled the ball to the top of the six-yard box where
Eduardo Faria got his head on the other end of it and redirected it into the back of the net to put the Broncos up 1-0.
The Broncos tried to add another goal just before halftime as
Jerry Ramirez fired off a shot from close range, but the Mustang goalkeeper was able to get his hands on it to keep the game close.
MSU turned on the pressure in the second half, desperate for an equalizer, but couldn't break through the Bronco backline. The closest the Mustangs would get was when a shot just knocked off the far post, but it was called offside anyway.
In the final 30 seconds, MSU put in one last push but the Bronco defense held firm to secure the 1-0 victory.
CLICK HERE to hear what head coach
Matt O'Sullivan,
Eduardo Faria and
Melvyn Perez Cortez had to say about Sunday's win.
CPP will take on No. 6 seed West Texas A&M in the first Super Regional semifinal, which is set for 3:00 pm on Thursday, Dec. 2 on the campus of Cal State LA. No. 1 seed Golden Eagles will play No. 4 seed Colorado Mesa following the CPP-WTAMU game at 6:00 pm, with the winners advancing to the Super Region Championship to be played at 6:00 pm on Saturday, Dec. 4.
BRONCO BITS: Head coach
Matt O'Sullivan is now 26-9-6 (.744) in three seasons at Cal Poly Pomona … Cal Poly Pomona improves to 14-6-2 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and is now 4-1-1 in Second Round contests … The Broncos remain unbeaten (5-0-1) in NCAA Tournament matches all-time at Stang Park in Wichita Falls, Texas, and are 1-0-1 all-time against Midwestern State, both matches on its home pitch … The Broncos are now 10-3 all-time in the NCAA Tournament in matches decided by one goal
