An early goal by freshman midfielder Quinn Mahoney led Cal Poly to a 1-1 draw against Utah Tech at Greater Zion Stadium on Monday.
After a draw and three losses to open the season, the Mustangs (2-3-3) have rallied in the past four games, which continued in the program’s first-ever meeting against the Trailblazers (1-4-2).
Cal Poly has outscored opponents 6-2 and has gone unbeaten during the stretch.
Mahoney has scored in each of the Mustangs’ last three matches and leads the team in shots [22], shots on goal [10] and goals [3] for the 2024 season.
Mahoney’s header in the fourth minute of the match was assisted by junior midfielder Bakuena Ramakatsa, who sent a free kick into the Trailblazer’s penalty box for Mahoney to put away.
Cal Poly’s defense also stood strong, with junior goalkeeper and recent Big West Defensive Player of the Week Nicky McCune’s dominant streak continuing with a season-high six saves on the day.
Despite McCune’s strong performance, Utah Tech leveled the score in the 43rd minute after midfielder Damien Arguello put a rebounded shot off of the post back into the Mustangs’ net.
Several shots would go back and forth throughout the remainder of the match, with each team ending the game with over 10 attempts, but the game came to a close with the score even.
One of Cal Poly’s biggest sporting events of the year is coming up next for the Mustangs, as they face Blue-Green rival UC Santa Barbara at home on Sep. 28 at 3 p.m. at Mustang Memorial Field.
The match will not count towards their conference record and is the first of two Cal Poly vs. UC Santa Barbara matchups this year.
