Pridham Brace Lifts Cal Poly Men's Soccer to Victory in Big West Opener

Friday, September 28

Fullerton, CA

7:30 pm

6-3, 1-0BIG WEST

Cal State Fullerton

4-7, 0-1BIG WEST

Cal Poly

Cal State Fullerton

Pridham Brace Lifts Cal Poly Men's Soccer to Victory in Big West Opener

9/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. – Junior forward Mackenzie Pridham (right, center) notched goals during the 26th and 76th minutes on Friday evening as the Cal Poly men's soccer program opened Big West Conference action with a victory for the sixth straight season by topping Cal State Fullerton inside Titan Stadium, 2-0.

Winners of six of the last seven matches, Cal Poly (6-3-0, 1-0-0) held Cal State Fullerton without a shot attempt for the opening 54 minutes and to just one total attempt on goal the entire night. Mustang sophomore goalkeeper Chase Hauser recorded the one save during the 81st minute to post his second shutout of the 2012 season.

Hauser, undefeated in five starts this year, has allowed just one goal during his previous 341 minutes of action. Cal Poly's defense, meanwhile, has allowed just five shots on frame during the past three matches.

At the other end of Titan Stadium, Pridham – Cal Poly's leader with five goals – notched his first of Friday evening by accepting a cross from senior midfielder Chris Gaschen and slotting a shot past Titan freshman goalkeeper Adam Zepeda.

"It was a nice give-and-go between Chris and Mackenzie. There was a miscue by Cal State Fullerton's center back and Chris carried the ball to the end line before crossing it in," seventh-year Mustang head coach Paul Holocher said. "(Zepeda) got a glove on it, but Mackenzie picked the ball up and put it away."

The Mustangs enjoyed six attacking attempts to begin the first half before Pridham struck again with 14 minutes to play, taking a pass from junior midfielder Mike Hocker and firing past Zepeda from 20 yards.

"It was a counterattack goal with Mike picking up the ball at midfield. He carried it up, found Mackenzie and he did the rest," Holocher said.

The Mustangs, who have defeated Cal State Fullerton during eight of the previous nine meetings, outshot the Titans, 15-9.

"I thought we did a great job controlling the game with the ball and possession," Holocher added. "Our guys made good decisions and it showed because Cal State Fullerton had a tough time getting the ball. Overall, it was a sound performance by our backline. We talked to the guys about playing tactically for 90 minutes and they did that."

Cal Poly concludes its two-match road trip at No. 24 UC Riverside on Sunday, Sept. 30 at 1 p.m. The Highlanders (7-2-0, 0-1-0) dropped a 3-1 decision at home to No. 3 UC Santa Barbara on Friday.