Cal Poly advances to Big West semifinals after dramatic double-overtime victory
Cal Poly Women’s Soccer secured a spot in the Big West Championship semifinals Wednesday night after junior forward Isis Salazar-Ortega scored with four seconds left in double overtime, leading the Mustangs to a 1-0 win over California Baptist.
The No. 5-seeded Mustangs (8-7-5) defeated the No. 4-seeded Lancers (9-4-5) at CBU Soccer Stadium in Riverside, California, advancing past the first round of the conference tournament for the fifth time in the last six seasons.
After 109 minutes of scoreless play, Cal Poly found the back of the net in the final seconds of the second overtime period. Junior midfielder Miah Thomas sent a cross into the box, where Salazar-Ortega headed it towards freshman defender Kate Nunes. Nunes attempted a shot, but a CBU defender blocked it before Salazar-Ortega recovered the ball and finished with her right foot.
The goal came at 109:56, making it the latest game-winning goal in program history. The Mustangs stormed the field to celebrate after video review confirmed the goal, avoiding a penalty shootout.
Cal Poly outshot CBU 14-8, putting five shots on goal compared to CBU’s three. The Mustangs also took more corners, recording six while the Lancers managed three.
Neither team could finish its chances in regulation. Cal Poly kept creating chances in overtime, including a shot from Nunes late in the first overtime period, but the CBU goalkeeper saved it.
Junior goalkeeper Shannon Porubski recorded three saves to secure the shutout, her sixth of the season and 15th of her career. The Mustangs’ defensive line played all 110 minutes, limiting the Lancers’ scoring opportunities.
Salazar-Ortega has now scored four goals across Cal Poly’s last two matches after recording a hat trick in the Mustangs’ 3-1 victory over Sacramento State on Oct. 31. Nunes assisted on all four goals during that stretch, helping Cal Poly secure its postseason berth and advance to the semifinals.
Cal Poly will continue its postseason run as it travels to Orem, Utah, to face No. 1-seeded Utah Valley in the Big West Championship semifinals Saturday at 5 p.m. to defend its Big West tournament title.