The Cal Poly men’s soccer team opened its Big West Conference slate with a win at CSUN on Thursday but couldn’t manage another win on Saturday, tying UC Irvine (2-6-3, 0-1-1 Big West Conference) 1-1.
The Mustangs came out firing as senior defender Kip Colvey converted a shot off a pass from junior defender Ruben Duran 5 minutes into the first half. The goal marks Colvey’s first in two seasons and looked to be the difference for the majority of the game.
It was 1-0 Mustangs for almost the entire match until the host Anteaters scored with four minutes remaining in regulation. UC Irvine’s Eduardo Calzada managed to get one of his seven shots past senior goalkeeper Wade Hamilton. The tying goal proved to be the last for each side.
The Mustangs had five shots on goal and were on the attack throughout the second half. Colvey’s attempt in the 74th minute and sophomore forward Kaba Alkebulan’s shot in the 80th minute were both blocked by UC Irvine goalkeeper Michael Breslin.
Two overtimes weren’t enough for either side to get a go-ahead goal. The Mustangs come back to San Luis Obispo for a three-game home stand with a 6-2-2 record, 1-0-1 in the Big West Conference. The first match of the home stand starts at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday against Cal State Fullerton.