Three days after clinching a spot in the playoffs, the Cal Poly men’s soccer team (8-6-3, 5-3-2 Big West) cemented its spot as the third seed in the Big West Tournament with a 2-0 win over Cal State Northridge on Saturday night.
With wins from UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, Cal Poly earned a date with the Gauchos on Wednesday at 7 p.m. The match will mark the third time the teams meet this season, as both teams won a 2-1 match at their respective home stadiums in October.
The last time Cal Poly and Santa Barbara met in the postseason was in 2008, when the Gauchos defeated the Mustangs on penalty kicks.
Forward Junior Burgos started the scoring against Northridge minutes before halftime with his third penalty kick goal in his career. The penalty kick was also the eighth in a row converted by the Mustangs.
Burgos registered seven shots in the game, leading the Mustangs to their fourth playoff appearance in four years.
Senior David Zamora tied Clay Harty (1995-96) for the Cal Poly career goals record as he netted his 25th in the 63rd minute to put the Mustangs ahead for good.
Goalkeeper Patrick McLain stopped five shots to register his 10th shutout in two years.
No. 1 seeded UC Irvine will host Cal State Fullerton in the other semifinal Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Anteater Stadium. The winner will meet the survivor of the Blue-Green rivalry at the stadium of the highest seeded team who remains.