Coming into head coach Oige Kennedy’s second season, the Mustang’s momentum was set to drive them to success within and outside the conference, but injuries to all four leading goalscorers from the 2023 season could’ve derailed Cal Poly’s rise.
The Big West stat sheets are highlighted by goal scorers in the double digits for programs like UC Santa Barbara, Cal State Bakersfield and Sacramento State.
However, Cal Poly’s first regular season conference title in program history stemmed from collective and constant pressure from all 11 Mustangs on the field.
With 12 different goal scorers throughout the season and one of the most diverse attacks in the Big West this year, the Mustangs have found their way onto scoresheets from every angle and every player possible.
The Winning Mentality
They capitalized on penalties in high-pressure situations, with both Mustang goals in the Blue-Green Rivalry against then-No. 22 ranked UC Santa Barbara at Mustang Memorial Field coming from the penalty spot.
The offense also stemmed from stellar defensive performances, which show the true mental and tactical strengths of the Mustangs.
“The whole idea of being the next man up and being more team oriented, I think it fits how we play and the style of play that we have,” Kennedy said.
Cal Poly’s “next man up” mentality is core to the team’s identity this season, as pre- and mid-season injuries threatened to stall the Mustang’s 2024 run before it began.
Senior forward Jackson Kestler, junior forwards Luke Schaefer and Rylan Firouznam and Sean McTeague were last year’s four top leading scorers, contributing 13 of the 22 total goals scored during the season.
All four forwards have been sidelined with season-ending injuries in 2024, but in true “next man up” fashion, the Mustangs have found success from both veteran and new players on the team stepping up to the challenge.
Kennedy emphasized mental toughness throughout the season and players stepping up to the plate when called upon as one of the biggest themes of 2024.
With Kennedy’s new approach to Mustang soccer, veterans and new players will have more opportunities to score and contribute to goals this year.
A quick turnaround with young talent
“The thing about getting an opportunity is making sure that you take it,” Kennedy said. “That competition that we have within the group is only driving each player to be better, which I think is great overall for the program.”
Kennedy’s short tenure has seen the team turn from a 2-11-4 2022 season into a defensive juggernaut that can score from any angle.
With many freshman and sophomores getting starts and significant playing time, the relatively young team is primed to echo their results in coming seasons.
Freshman midfielder Quinn Mahoney leads the team in goals (4) and assists (4) through 17 games and is joined by a young core of players. Freshman forward Finn Linas and sophomore midfielders Diego Guerra and Jackson Miller have all capitalized on the field.
“We’re a very team oriented team,” Mahoney said. “The goals can come from anywhere.”
The goals have come from anywhere, as Cal Poly’s dominant defense—which ranks second in goals against average nationally—has also contributed to offensive success.
As a result, 6-foot, 4-inch sophomore defender Parker Owens plays a leading role in the box during set pieces, netting a goal and three assists this season.
These goals from defenders, like Joaquin Torres’ game-tying free kick at CSUN, secured conference points that eventually led to the Mustangs’ regular season title.
“When you have guys like Parker coming into the box, winning every header on corners, it makes it a lot easier to get rebounds or see stuff fall for other players,” Linas said.
The Mustangs’ defensive prowess also makes each goal they score more impactful for the end result. Cal Poly has given up just four goals across eight conference games and has not conceded twice in the same game since Sept. 1 against Tulsa.
“Knowing that you’re probably not going to concede a goal in a game, maybe concede one, you know how much more important a goal is then, because one goal is probably a game winner,” Linas said.
A Veteran Presence
The new contributors on the team aren’t the only ones who’ve stepped up this season, as veteran presence in the offense has been instrumental in maintaining composure close to the opponent’s net.
Junior forward Oren Stuppel has two goals this season and scored in crucial moments, securing 1-0 victories over conference rivals UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton.
Both results have catapulted Cal Poly to third in the Big West standings going into the season’s final game.
“Our just drive to succeed, that’s what’s most important,” Stuppel said. “I mean, this is what separates the good from the best teams, it’s not the front two guys, not the front four guys. It’s the full 11, and it starts with Mickey in the back commanding the defense.”
Attacks building up throughout the entire team have been a constantly developing aspect of the 2024 roster, and possession of the ball has been on a constant upward swing after the Mustangs went on their opening road trip winless.
Kennedy describes the team this year as not having a traditional number 10—a player to facilitate the attack and be the center of play—this season.
Instead, the number 10 driving the team has been their reliable defense and passing, which involves the entire team in each attack.
“You’ll see center backs, outside backs, mid scoring, and that’s just because everyone on the team has a big desire to score and a desire to win,” Linas said.
Schaefer and Firouznam are just a few of the veterans set to return in 2025 and will bolster an already balanced and flexible attacking front.
Cal Poly’s attack will look to build off of their regular season title as they host their first semi-final at Mustang Memorial Field on Sunday, Nov. 10, at 2 p.m.
“We were in the conference tournament last year and got beaten by Davis, which hurt us. So that’s definitely fuel for the next upcoming games,” Stuppel said.
