Cal Poly Women’s Soccer (3-2-2, 0-0 Big West) dominated Pacific in a 4-1 victory Thursday as the Mustangs’ offense found its rhythm.
The match began with a slow first half that remained scoreless until the 37th minute when midfielder Miah Thomas scored on a penalty kick.
This was Thomas’ fourth goal of the season, tying her for third place in the Big West.
Cal Poly took three times as many shots as Pacific in the first half and finished the match with a 14-7 advantage.
Head coach Bernardo Silva had voiced concerns about the Mustangs’ offensive performances over the last few games, but Thursday’s match told a different story.
It was the first time Cal Poly’s offense outproduced its opponent since the Mustangs’ victory over San Jose State on Aug. 23.
Four goals is a season high for the Mustangs, and the most goals they’ve scored since a 5-1 victory against Nevada on Sept. 22, 2024.
However, it may be too early to say Cal Poly’s offense has turned a corner given Pacific’s struggles this season. The Mustangs have won six of their last seven matchups against the Tigers, with one draw, while Pacific remains winless this season at 0-7-0.
The Mustangs continued to tack on goals in the second half, with some big-name players reaching milestones.
Captain Sophia Minnite returned to action after suffering an injury against Arizona State on Aug. 30. In the 67th minute, she drove the ball into the top left post to earn her first collegiate goal in her 65th game for Cal Poly.
Only a minute later, Pacific scored a goal to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Forward Isis Salazar-Ortega made her first appearance as a Mustang after transferring to Cal Poly this offseason from Cal State Bakersfield. In her first showing, she scored an unassisted goal in the 77th minute to widen the gap.
Carrying on her teammates’ momentum, midfielder Ruby Casey scored with a header only six minutes later and celebrated by “shushing” the camera. “Firsts” seemed to be the theme of the night, as Casey also celebrated her first collegiate goal.
Next, Cal Poly finishes a stretch of road games with a matchup against Seattle on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.