Ian Billings/Mustang Daily
Mustang Daily Staff Report
sports@mustangdaily.net
During the 2012 season, the Cal Poly men’s soccer team experienced one of the finest seasons in program history. After the 2011 soccer team missed their opportunity to compete in postseason play, the Mustangs won twice during the final week of the regular season to clinch a Big West Tournament spot. The squad was able to match the soccer program’s record with 11 total victories and six conference match wins. While the team only scored 15 goals last season, the Mustang’s offense was able to record 26 goals in the 2012 season.
But never in the history of Cal Poly men’s soccer has a team made it past the first round of Big West Conference playoffs. And unfortunately for head coach Paul Holocher, this season for the Mustangs proved no different.
The men’s soccer team finished its season in its first round of playoffs against Cal State Northridge, accumulating a record of 11-7-1 during their season and 6-3-1 in the Big West Conference.
Junior forward Mackenzie Pridham led the team in goals this year with 11 on the season. But while Pridham’s season-long heroics fueled the Mustang’s drive for success, it was junior midfielder George Malki’s goal against rival UC Santa Barbara that brought the men’s soccer season to a crescendo. As the 10th largest regular season crowd in NCAA history watched the clock run down, the mob erupted and rushed the field at Alex G. Spanos Stadium, lifting Malki and the team off their feet, and completing another season of one of the greatest soccer rivalries in NCAA history.
“It’s a special year with this new style of play,” Malki said. “We’re a young team, so there’s a huge and bright future for us here. With our style of play, we can beat anyone.”
The final victory against UC Santa Barbara was the first time since 1997 that the Mustangs swept the Gauchos for the entire season.
Cal Poly entered its game against Cal State Northridge unbeaten in six of their last seven matches.
But while freshman goalkeeper Wade Hamilton was able to make nine saves, Cal State Northridge was able to score twice in the last 30 minutes of the game to eliminate the Cal Poly men’s soccer team from the Big West Conference Tournament.
The Matadors went on to defeat the UC Davis Aggies in the Big West championship match.
With the team ending its season against Cal Sate Northridge, the Mustangs will look forward to a bright future with many returning players who are looking to make an impact in the 2013 season.
Graduating seniors include Alex Loeffelman, Benny Estes, Dakota Collin and Chris Gaschen.
Jefferson P. Nolan contributed to this article.