Cal Poly Men's Soccer Falls to No. 25 Grand Canyon University in Overtime

Strategic Insights -

In a nail-biting match, the Cal Poly men's soccer team fought valiantly but ultimately fell to No. 25 Grand Canyon University 3-2 in overtime. Despite scoring two late goals to tie the score, the Mustangs were unable to secure the win, with the Lopes' Marco Afonso sealing the victory with a left-footed free kick eight minutes into overtime.

Key Takeaways:

  • Cal Poly senior midfielder Neil Boyal collected an assist and a goal in the defeat, leading the Big West Conference in assists with four.
  • The Mustangs dominated possession in the first 15 minutes, holding 66% of the ball and recovering lost balls in the midfield.
  • Freshman midfielder Nathan Colley nearly evened the score in the 67th minute with a shot from outside the 18-yard box that notched the lower right post.
  • Senior defender Josh Graham headered the ball off a corner kick in the 80th minute, but it was calmly caught by the goalkeeper.
  • Cal Poly's defense did not go unnoticed, with freshman defender Jacob Glass attributing their efforts to the pair's "good partnership" and "working hard to make sure that we win the ball back."
  • The Mustangs will look to bounce back from the defeat against No. 15 Loyola Marymount on Monday, Sept. 20 at 7:00PM.

Statistics:

  • Cal Poly recorded a 66% possession rate in the first 15 minutes of the match.
  • The Mustangs had 48% of the ball possession in the first half, with the Lopes having 52%.
  • Cal Poly's Nathan Colley had a shot from outside the 18-yard box that notched the lower right post in the 67th minute.
  • Cal Poly's Josh Graham headered the ball off a corner kick in the 80th minute, but it was calmly caught by the goalkeeper.
  • Marco Afonso scored the winning goal for the Lopes with a left-footed free kick eight minutes into overtime.

Sources:

  • [Original article]

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