“Kaizen” is the Japanese word meaning the practice of continuously improving, and it’s the theme that first-year head coach Shanele Stires has implemented within the Cal Poly women’s basketball program. “What we want from our preseason games and the whole season is to improve constantly so that at the end of the season, we are […]
Author Archives: Nick Bandanza
Posted inCross-country
Cross Country sweeps Men’s and Women’s Big West championship
It was a championship sweep for Mustangs in cross country, as the men’s and women’s teams won the Big West conference on Saturday, Oct. 29 at UC Riverside. This was the sixth time in program history that the men’s and women’s teams have swept to capture their titles and the first time since 2018. The […]
Posted inMen's Soccer
Men’s soccer eliminated from Big West playoff contention after 1-1 draw with UC Santa Barbara
Leg two of the 2022 Blue-Green Rivalry ended in a 1-1 draw on Saturday, October 22, at UC Santa Barbara’s Harder Stadium, eliminating Cal Poly men’s soccer from playoff contention. The Mustangs were three minutes away from the win as they held a 1-0 lead thanks to sophomore Noah Boettiger’s goal in the 79th minute. […]
Posted inMen's Soccer
BREAKING: Steve Sampson retires as Cal Poly men’s soccer head coach
After eight years as the Cal Poly Men’s Soccer Head Coach, Steve Sampson has stepped down from the program, effective immediately. “After input from my cardiologist and primary care physician and after consulting with my family, I’ve decided to retire, effective immediately,” Sampson said in a press release through Cal Poly Athletics. “I want to […]
Posted inVolleyball
Volleyball battles for five-set victory over CSU Bakersfield
Cal Poly volleyball won a five-set, back-and-forth war over CSU Bakersfield on the back of redshirt freshman Lizzy Markovska’s career-high 15 kills on Thursday, Oct. 11 inside the Icardo Center. The Mustangs’ (9-8, 6-1 Big West) five-set match against the Roadrunners (5-13, 2-4) saw close, alternating sets: 21-25, 25-21, 24-25, 25-21, 15-13. The win extended […]
Posted inFootball
Football falls in final minutes to Northern Arizona, 31-29
Cal Poly football conceded their third loss in a row to Northern Arizona University by the score of 31-29 on Saturday, Oct. 8 inside J. Lawrence Walkup Skydome. The Mustangs (1-4, 0-2 Big Sky) remained winless in conference play after NAU’s (2-4, 1-2 Big Sky) kicker, Collin Robbins, drilled a 40-yard field goal with 1:27 […]
Posted inFootball
Brasch is back: Cal Poly Football quarterback returns to starting role
The 6-foot-4 redshirt junior Spencer Brasch is back leading the Mustang offense after starter Jaden Jones, a redshirt freshman, suffered a season-ending injury against the University of South Dakota. “[Brasch] is handling it really well,” head coach Beau Baldwin said. “He handled it well before, so you knew if the situation occurred, he was going […]
Posted inCross-country
Cross country finds success at Joe Piane Invitational, Pacific Collegiate Invitational
Cal Poly cross country split up their team and traveled to two separate meets on Friday, Sept. 30, turning in impressive performances at the Joe Piane Invitational and the Pacific Collegiate Invitational. Joe Piane Invitational at Notre Dame Cal Poly cross country’s top runners took the trip to Notre Dame to compete in the Joe […]
Posted inWomen's Soccer
Women’s soccer secures 2-2 draw with Hawaii after last-minute equalizer
Cal Poly women’s soccer ended their Senior Day matchup with the University of Hawaii in a 2-2 draw on Sunday, Sept. 25, inside Alex G. Spanos Stadium. The Mustangs (4-5-1) began their comeback efforts in the second half following a strong opening 10 minutes by the Rainbow Wahine (4-2-2). “It was great to come back […]
Posted inTop Stories
Women’s soccer begins new season ‘even hungrier’ for championship
After sharing the regular season Big West Conference title and losing in the Big West tournament title match last season, the Mustang women’s soccer team is poised for a defining year. “Just saying ‘a goal away’ is just a slap in the face,” senior midfielder Camille Lafaix said. “It reminds me of how angry and […]
Posted inSports
How Collin Villegas turned around his season to become an essential part of Cal Poly Baseball
In a lineup full of big names, junior catcher and outfielder Collin Villegas has proven that he deserves recognition for his impact on the Cal Poly baseball team. “When you talk about value, he brings so much value to the team,” sophomore first baseman Joe Yorke said. “He’s been our big RBI guy this year; […]