Ryan ChartrandFresh off its first NCAA Tournament win ever, the Cal Poly men’s soccer team will have an opportunity to advance its historic season tonight.
The Mustangs, who topped UCLA 1-0 in the first round Friday, will visit UC Irvine at 7 tonight.
On Oct. 22, Cal Poly battled then-No. 20 UC Irvine to a 1-1 tie. The Anteaters’ Matt Murphy scored on a penalty kick with 59 seconds left.
“It’s going to be even more contested and even more competitive – both teams realize it’s win-or-go-home,” Mustangs head coach Paul Holocher said. “They’re full of confidence as well. It’s just going to be a fierce battle.”
No. 7 UC Irvine (14-1-6), the Big West regular season and tournament champion, hasn’t lost in 10 matches but is also playing in its first NCAA Tournament.
Murphy leads the Anteaters with 30 points on 11 goals and eight assists. Spencer Thompson has added 21 points and Irving Garcia 16.
All three were All-Big West Conference First Team selections.
“They’re all very good dribblers,” Holocher said. “We have to do a very good job of containing those guys and knowing where they are at all times.”
Against the Bruins, Ryan Anderson scored the lone goal for the Mustangs (11-5-6) on an assist from Julian Alvarez in the 28th minute.
“It was a confidence-booster to get such a big win on the road against such a storied program,” Holocher said. “The guys know if we put together a good game plan and play intelligently, we can beat anybody.”
The winner of tonight’s match will advance to face either St. John’s or Boston on Saturday or Sunday.