After the frenzy from last weekend’s installment of the Blue-Green Rivalry, the Cal Poly men’s soccer team made sure not to disappoint. The Mustangs (9-3-4, 4-1-3 Big West) tied the Gauchos (10-5-2, 5-2-1) with a goal in the waning seconds to send the match to overtime.
Trailing 2-0 after halftime, the Mustangs battled back in the second half. Cal Poly finally pulled through in the 73rd minute when senior midfielder Chase Minter buried a shot after a cross from junior midfielder Jack O’Connor. Minter’s goal marked the first shot on target of the night for the Mustangs.
Cal Poly mustered two more shot attempts before the 90th minute, but neither found the back of the net.
It wasn’t until late in the 90th minute when freshman forward Jared Pressley came up with the biggest goal of his young collegiate career.
Senior midfielder Matt LaGrassa headed a deep cross toward the goal, but Gauchos goalkeeper Justin Vom Steeg made a diving save to prevent the goal. The ball bounced around in front of the goal before Pressley swooped in and booted the ball toward goal.
Pressley’s shot found the back of the net with four seconds left, tying the match and sending it to overtime.
Neither team scored in either overtime and the match ended in a 2-2 draw.
The Mustangs finished the match with 13 shots, five on goal. Senior goalkeeper Wade Hamilton had three saves.
Cal Poly remains one point behind the Gauchos in the Big West Conference standings. The Mustangs continue conference play at home against UC Davis on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
