Throwback Thursday: Cal Poly Tops Fresno State in NCAA Tournament
11/5/2020 9:15:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Each Thursday from September through November, Cal Poly will revisit an historic fall-season team from Mustang history in our #ThrowbackThursday series, presented by CalPortland.
The art of the throw-in can at times be an underrated part of the game.
That proved to be the case indeed for the Cal Poly women's soccer team on Nov. 10, 1999.
After winning the Big West Conference title, heading into an NCAA Tournament match at Fresno State, the Mustangs made it a point of emphasis to hone their throw-in technique. It paid dividends on game day, as Cal Poly scored both of its goals stemming from throw-ins, leading to a 2-1 road victory over the 20th-ranked Bulldogs.
"We were trying to fine-tune those set pieces because they can make all the difference in the playoffs, and it did," Mustang coach Alex Crozier said to the Telegram-Tribune after the win.
Cal Poly struck first in the 33rd minute at Bulldog Stadium, when Leah Bennett launched the attack by lofting a ball into the box from the left sideline. Gina Oceguera settled the pass in the middle of the box, and then set up an onrushing Michelle George to her left. George then beat the Bulldog goalkeeper to the far post, tallying her fourth goal in as many matches.
Fresno State would level the game just six minutes later, as Andrea Morelock converted a pass from Jill Pearson via the center of the penalty area despite Cal Poly keeper Lauren Stevenson getting a hand on the shot.
The Mustangs moved back in front 10 minutes into the second half, however, when Eryn Gerhard scored (assisted by Denise Trione and George) aiming to the left corner past the reach of a diving Jennifer Johnstone.
"I knew I had to be there, so I just got there," Gerhard said of finding the positioning for her game-winner. "We were working (at practice) on framing the goal."
Stevenson was crucial to Cal Poly holding on to advance to the next round, finishing with nine saves — including three in the final seven minutes after Fresno State pushed its defense forward desperately trying to equalize.
"It's games like this when I think I do my best," Stevenson said to the Tribune afterward. "It makes me feel better when I can come through for the team ... the last five minutes I played in a dream world. Things were coming and I tried to do whatever I could to catch the ball."
The crowd was about evenly divided, with half of the 1,500 fans cheering on the visiting Mustangs and half rooting on the home team in the valley.
"I was kind of in shock that I had to experience that many shots in such a short time," Stevenson added to the Fresno Bee. "I told myself, 'I can't let them score.' They'd have had the momentum going into overtime."
George, who had nine goals & seven assists, was selected first-team all-conference, along with teammates Katie Kassis, Jill Nelsen and Andrea Sievers.
Photos by Julie Brandt / Aaron Lambert
The art of the throw-in can at times be an underrated part of the game.That proved to be the case indeed for the Cal Poly women's soccer team on Nov. 10, 1999.
After winning the Big West Conference title, heading into an NCAA Tournament match at Fresno State, the Mustangs made it a point of emphasis to hone their throw-in technique. It paid dividends on game day, as Cal Poly scored both of its goals stemming from throw-ins, leading to a 2-1 road victory over the 20th-ranked Bulldogs.
"We were trying to fine-tune those set pieces because they can make all the difference in the playoffs, and it did," Mustang coach Alex Crozier said to the Telegram-Tribune after the win.
Cal Poly struck first in the 33rd minute at Bulldog Stadium, when Leah Bennett launched the attack by lofting a ball into the box from the left sideline. Gina Oceguera settled the pass in the middle of the box, and then set up an onrushing Michelle George to her left. George then beat the Bulldog goalkeeper to the far post, tallying her fourth goal in as many matches.
Fresno State would level the game just six minutes later, as Andrea Morelock converted a pass from Jill Pearson via the center of the penalty area despite Cal Poly keeper Lauren Stevenson getting a hand on the shot.
The Mustangs moved back in front 10 minutes into the second half, however, when Eryn Gerhard scored (assisted by Denise Trione and George) aiming to the left corner past the reach of a diving Jennifer Johnstone.
"I knew I had to be there, so I just got there," Gerhard said of finding the positioning for her game-winner. "We were working (at practice) on framing the goal."
Stevenson was crucial to Cal Poly holding on to advance to the next round, finishing with nine saves — including three in the final seven minutes after Fresno State pushed its defense forward desperately trying to equalize.
"It's games like this when I think I do my best," Stevenson said to the Tribune afterward. "It makes me feel better when I can come through for the team ... the last five minutes I played in a dream world. Things were coming and I tried to do whatever I could to catch the ball."The crowd was about evenly divided, with half of the 1,500 fans cheering on the visiting Mustangs and half rooting on the home team in the valley.
"I was kind of in shock that I had to experience that many shots in such a short time," Stevenson added to the Fresno Bee. "I told myself, 'I can't let them score.' They'd have had the momentum going into overtime."
George, who had nine goals & seven assists, was selected first-team all-conference, along with teammates Katie Kassis, Jill Nelsen and Andrea Sievers.
Photos by Julie Brandt / Aaron Lambert
@CPMustangs • #RideHigh
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