Cal Poly Men’s Soccer opened its season with a thrilling 2-2 draw against the University of Denver on Thursday night after junior forward Charlie Hogan scored an 89th-minute equalizer. The Mustangs (0-0-1) earned the road result after trailing for a majority of the second half.
Cal Poly struck first, scoring midway through the first half after junior Colin Pearce found the back of the net resulting from a set piece. The Pioneers (0-0-1) responded just eight minutes later when defender Dominic Kallay chested a ball into the goal after a cross from his teammate.
Coming out of halftime, the Pioneers wasted no time finding the back of the net. A high press from the Pioneers led to a goal from Keegan Kelly as he took advantage of a mistake from the Mustang back line to give Denver a 2-1 lead.
Despite being down a goal, Cal Poly continued to create many offensive opportunities. The Mustangs held an 8-3 advantage in shots and a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks; however, the Pioneers converted two of their three shots on goal.Â
The Mustangs’ continued fight paid off in the final moments of the game. Freshman defender Kevin Jimenez Gutierrez made an immediate impact when he came onto the pitch late in the second half. Gutierrez beat two Pioneer defenders and found Peyton Marmion on the left flank, who whipped in a sweeping cross that found the head of Hogan and hit the side of the net, tying the game at 2-2.
The draw earned the Mustangs a point in their season opener after a difficult test as they played from behind in a tough environment. Cal Poly will continue its nonconference play as it travels to UC Davis on Sunday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. at Aggie Field.