Cal Poly Pomona Athletics

POMONA, Calif. - Marvin Gamez converted a first-half penalty kick and Jack Chapman delivered a nine-save shutout as Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer defeated UC Merced 1-0 at Kellogg Stadium. The Broncos improved to 3-3-2 overall and 1-1 in CCAA play.

CPP broke through in the 24th minute after drawing a foul inside the penalty area. Gamez stepped to the spot and converted the penalty kick to give the Broncos a 1-0 advantage. The goal was his team-leading fifth of the season and his third from the penalty spot.

Gamez nearly doubled the lead in the 37th minute, placing another attempt on frame, but the shot was saved. He finished with a team-high four shots and accounted for two of CPP's three attempts on goal. Aleksandar Somov recorded the Broncos' other shot on target in the 63rd minute.

Chapman anchored CPP's defensive effort. He made five saves during the opening half, including four early on, to send the Broncos into halftime with the lead. He added four saves after the break, turning away attempts in the 57th, 59th, 65th and 76th minutes to preserve it.

Although UC Merced held an 18-9 advantage in shots, the Broncos remained composed defensively and limited the Bobcats to no goals on nine shots on target. 

The victory marked Chapman's third shutout of the season and gave the Broncos their first conference win of 2026.

Up Next
The Broncos return home this Sunday, hosting the Cal State Monterey Bay Otters at 2 PM.

Bronco Bits

• Gamez leads the CCAA with 2.88 shots per match and 15 total shots on goal.
• Chapman ranks second in the CCAA with an average of 4.25 saves per match.
• Friday's match marked only the second all-time meeting between the programs, with CPP improving to 2-0 against UC Merced.
• Now in its 43rd season, CPP holds an all-time record of 363-365-106.