Cal State Fullerton
Players Mentioned
Mustangs Come Up Short in Big West Home Opener
9/28/2023 10:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Junior Peja Balanon buried a goal with 56 seconds left, but it wasn't enough as Cal Poly women's soccer fell to Cal State Fullerton 2-1 on Thursday night at Mustang Memorial Field Presented by French Hospital in its Big West home opener.
The Mustangs (3-5-2, 1-1-0 Big West) outshot, out chanced and for most of the match outplayed the Titans (3-4-6, 1-1-2 BW), but Cal State Fullerton took advantage of its few opportunities, scoring on both of its shots on goal.
Cal Poly dominated the first half, outshooting the Titans 11-2 and holding them without a shot on goal in the opening 45 minutes. The Mustangs were aggressive early as junior Emily Nedom, and sophomores Emily Lieber and Camryn Penn all fired shots on goal in the first 24 minutes.
In the 38th minute, senior Kate Reedy earned Cal Poly's best scoring chance of the first half. Freshman Bailey Bracha played a cross in from just outside the right side of the box that found Reedy in front, who sent a shot just wide of the right post. The teams went into the break tied 0-0.
Cal State Fullerton struck less than two minutes into the second half to take a 1-0 lead. The Mustangs came right back and peppered Titan goalkeeper Mia Ranson with three more shots on goal, but Kaylee Noble scored her second goal of the match in the 59th minute to give Cal State Fullerton a 2-0 advantage.
Despite the scoreline, the Mustangs continued to press forward and their efforts paid off in the closing moments. With less than a minute left, Balanon blasted a shot past the Cal State Fullerton keeper to tally her first goal of the season and the fourth of her career. Sophomore Jessie Halladay and freshman Annika Smith both earned assists on the goal. Halladay, who ranks sixth in the Big West in points per match, now has nine points on the season (three goals, three assists). For Smith, it was her second assist of the season.
The Mustangs outshot Cal State Fullerton 22-6 in the match, and Nedom finished with a team-high five shots. Redshirt freshman Sophia Minnite made her first career start in the match.
Cal Poly remains at home to host UC Riverside at noon Sunday. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+, with Max Milander providing play-by-play.
