POMONA - Cal Poly Pomona gave very little away on the defensive end, but allowed the all-important goal and surrendered a difficult 1-0 decision to visiting St. Edward's University in a non-conference women's soccer match Sunday at Kellogg Stadium.

With the loss, the Broncos are now 2-2. St. Edward's, out of Austin, Texas, and the Lone Star Conference, also evened its record at 2-2-1. The Hilltoppers thus completed a perfect two-game California trip to conclude the non-league slate, as they were coming off their first win, also 1-0, at Cal State San Bernardino on Friday.

Sunday marked the first-ever meeting between the programs.

On a sparkling Southern California fall afternoon, there was not a lot of action early, as the first foul came at 13:45, with the contest's initial shot not occurring until the 15:41 mark, that a wide one from SEU's Alyssa Garcia after getting to a through ball ahead of goalie Sydney Williams.

Senior striker Taylor Scott's left-footed attempt from around the edge of the 18-yard box after a fine through ball sailed just past the left post at 22:04, serving as the home side's first shot of the day. In the 30th minute, Allyssa Larkin took a square pass from Scott and hit a left-footer that was caught without trouble by Abby Carlson in the SEU net.

Then at 38:30, still with virtually nothing going on for the visitors in particular, Katelyn Smith got a short, headed lay-off from fellow substitute Katie Gay, and took one touch forward before cracking a 25-yard right-footed shot that carried over Williams and bulged the back of the net for her first collegiate goal. The sophomore had come onto the pitch only 106 seconds earlier.

Over the remainder of the first half, CPP had Cassie Snow's shot from distance miss high, and also came close to a tying score through a late corner kick. The Broncos held a 6-2 edge in attempts at the break.

In the 56th minute, Nicolle Villarreal ran onto a beautiful lay-off by Emma Barrow, who had returned to the game seconds prior, but her low, left-footed shot from inside 18 yards was expertly tipped wide of the post and out for a corner kick by Carlson to keep it 1-0.

The 69th minute saw a right-sided cross for CPP that Barrow was narrowly unable to turn in for the equalizer from close range. At 75 minutes in, Larkin provided a nice through ball up ahead, only for Carlson to pull off a difficult double-save on Scott from the right diagonal. The Broncos could not generate a goal in the time left, including a scramble as the final seconds ticked off with the ball barely evading the reach of true freshman Melanie Harradine.

For the second game in succession and third time in four matches this year, Williams did not need to make a single save for Cal Poly Pomona, as SEU's lone shot on target was the only goal of the contest. Carlson, a true freshman, had six stops, one short of her season high, to earn her third consecutive clean sheet since taking over the starting position.

The final shot margin was 13-3 in favor of the home side. Scott and Snow led all players with four and three, respectively, to both equal their season highs.

CPP continues this four-game home stand next Saturday, Sept. 25, with a non-conference showdown against California Collegiate Athletic Association and area rival Cal State LA (0-4-1). Kickoff at Kellogg Stadium is set for 4:30 p.m.

All Bronco soccer contests throughout this 2021 season will stream live online free of charge via the CCAA Network at www.ccaanetwork.com. Fans may also download the CCAA Network app on your iOS or Android smartphone, tablet, or through web streaming devices such as Amazon Fire, Roku or Apple TV. Admission is free for CPP students, staff and faculty.

Bronco Bits: Cal Poly Pomona is now 37-29-12 (.551) overall under sixth-year head coach and 2019 CCAA Coach of the Year Jay Mason ... CPP used the same starting 11 for the second match in a row ... Alyssa Carthan and Taylor Scott each began their 25th consecutive games, with Scott now at 27 appearances in a row ... Sydney Williams has drawn 20 straight starts in goal ... Emma Barrow had her string of consecutive matches with a goal scored snapped at three to begin the year ... SEU was picked for fourth in the 14-team LSC in its preseason poll, with Cal Poly Pomona favored for second in the CCAA.