An 85th-minute penalty kick from junior transfer Miah Thomas propelled Cal Poly Women’s Soccer to a 1-0 season-opening victory over UNLV on Wednesday night.
The victory ended a 13-year winless streak in season openers for the Mustangs.
Following a scoreless first half, the match escalated in the 84th minute when both teams were reduced to 10 players. UNLV’s Felicity Garcia was sent off after receiving her second yellow card, while Cal Poly’s Farra Franklin was issued a straight red card.
Just 40 seconds later, Cal Poly earned a free kick from 30 yards out. Senior defender Siena Urzua sent the ball into the box, where senior forward Annika Smith drew a foul while attempting a header inside the penalty area.
Thomas, a transfer from Cal State Bakersfield, stepped up to the spot and buried the game-winning penalty kick into the bottom-left corner of the net. The goal marked her first in a Cal Poly uniform and the fourth of her collegiate career.
Cal Poly defended its narrow lead through the remaining six minutes to preserve the clean sheet.
The Mustangs finished with an 11-6 advantage in shots. Junior goalkeeper Shannon Porubski made two saves to earn her 10th career shutout.
Six players made their first starts for Cal Poly, including freshmen Madison Lujan and Kate Nunes, sophomore Kenzie Herzing and transfers Thomas, Koko Harris and Mya Clarke.
Cal Poly (1-0-0) remains at home Sunday to host top-ranked Stanford in a rematch of last season’s NCAA Tournament first-round contest.