Denver
Late Gaschen Goal Secures Cal Poly Opening Day Win
9/3/2010 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
DENVER – The Cal Poly men's soccer program's third-leading scorer a year ago, Chris Gaschen opened his sophomore campaign right where he left off in 2009 as his 88th-minute goal on Friday evening helped the Mustangs open the regular season with a 1-0 victory against Denver at CIBEC Field.
Despite producing a Cal Poly-best four shot attempts, senior forward David Zamora was substituted in the 84th minute for freshman forward Cortland Forsyth. Forsyth, making his collegiate debut on Friday after redshirting last season, needed just four minutes to flick a pass to Gaschen (above) near the top of the penalty area. Gaschen's third attempt on goal proved successful from approximately 25 yards away and helped Cal Poly to its first victory outside California since dealing then-No. 23 New Mexico a 2-1 defeat on Sept. 14, 2008.
"It was so important for us to play a good game on the road. Last year, we didn't get off to the start we wanted," said fifth-year head coach Paul Holocher, whose 2009 Mustangs dropped their opening four matches before defeating Sacramento State on Sept. 18. "We asked the guys to come out and play with enthusiasm. Our attack was good and came from all over the field. I'm happy with the way we moved the ball and everyone is proud of how we played tonight."
The result proved deserved for Cal Poly, which posted 21 shots to Denver's 10 and forced eight corners while conceding just one. Cal Poly, which had two goals disallowed, was whistled offside four times.
The Mustangs produced eight shot attempts during the first half, the most threatening of which occurred in the 16th minute when sophomore forward Chris Bernardi was turned away by Denver senior goalkeeper Teale Stone.
Cal Poly opened the second half with five shot attempts during the initial five minutes, eliciting a pair of saves from new Pioneers goalkeeper Matt Aguirre. Aguirre produced five more saves during the ensuing 37 minutes before Gaschen, with a goal Holocher cited as "truly special," broke through with the match-salvaging strike.
Mustang goalkeeper Patrick McLain made seven saves to open his junior season with a clean sheet.
Cal Poly continues its four-match road trip against Air Force on Sunday, Sept. 5 at 12 noon PT.
