Amelia Parreira
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The Cal Poly women’s soccer team (6-8-0, 1-2-0) tallied its highest shot total of the season against UC Davis (4-7-3, 1-0-2) on Friday night. However, the Mustangs fell to the Aggies by a final score of 2-0 at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.
The Aggies first pulled ahead in the 24th minute when junior forward Haley Hughes, assisted by junior defender Ana Marija Sola, snuck a pass by junior goalkeeper Alyssa Giannetti.
With a pack of Davis defenders consistently protecting their goal, the Mustangs had trouble scoring all night. Still, Cal Poly mustered a total of 23 shots — 15 in the first half alone — but none made it through the net.
Hughes, assisted by sophomore forward Celina Minissian, scored a second goal for Davis in the 57th minute as she darted for the goal with no Mustangs to cut her off, clearing it past Giannetti.
Davis not only loaded defenders near the goal, but also crowded Cal Poly’s top-scorer — junior forward Elise Krieghoff — to reap the Mustangs of scoring opportunities.
“They just capitalized on the two biggest mind lapses we had,” Giannetti said.
In the 73rd minute, freshman defender Emily Hansen took a blow to the face, resulting in a nosebleed and removal from the field. Injuries such as this have held the Mustangs back, according to head coach Alex Crozier.
“We’re going to take care of the little injuries we have so we can come back and score a few (goals),” Crozier said.
The Mustangs host Hawaii at 12 p.m. on Sunday.
“We’ve just got to shake this game off,” Giannetti said.