Sayra ReyesIn their first game of Big West Conference play, the Mustangs put up a 2-1 loss against the UC Riverside Highlanders Friday night.
Despite having possession for the majority of the game and outshooting UC Riverside (7-4, 1-0) 25-8, Cal Poly (1-8-1, 0-1) wasn’t able to get a second goal in.
“I thought we played well; we created a lot of chances,” head coach Alex Crozier said. “It was ours to win.”
Highlander Tessa Lennala’s goal in the first half went unanswered until senior Sharon Day put one in at the 62nd minute.
“I thought (Day’s) goal would break the ice,” Crozier said.
However, the tie held into the second overtime, where Riverside’s Jenna Leonti scored in the last two minutes to end the game.
Mustang goalkeeper Alli Tramel, a senior, had three saves to Highlander Deanna Borgelt’s nine.
The Mustangs were getting the shots, crosses, corners and everything they needed to set up the goals, but they just weren’t finishing them, Crozier said.
Cal Poly also had seven more corner kicks than Riverside (9-2).
“It’s the story of our season so far,” he said. “We outplay and outshoot other teams but come up with a tie or loss.”
Riverside committed 14 fouls and received three yellow cards to Cal Poly’s 12 fouls and one yellow card. Mustang freshman Whitney Sisler was issued a card at 75:43.
Cal Poly is facing Cal State Fullerton today at 1 p.m. at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.
Crozier didn’t plan on changing anything for the game. They’ll just keep coming out, maybe get a little luck, he said.