Box Score
POMONA--- SF State sophomore forward Alex Palomino connected on a pass from Chloe Harrington from 15-yards out to score what proved to be the game-winning goal with a little over 5 minutes left in the Gators' 1-0 win at Cal Poly Pomona. Allison Land recorded six saves en route to her 7th shutout of the season and fifth in SF State's last six matches.
"It was a good match this afternoon and we weathered the storm from Cal Poly Pomona," said SF State head coach Jack Hyde. "The second half we altered our system and Alex Palomino came up big with the game-winner." "I am very happy with the team and this weekend's four-point result."
Cal Poly Pomona (6-5-5, 4-5-5 CCAA) outshot the Gators 19-7 including 7-2 in shot on goal attempts. The Broncos also held a 4-1 corner kick advantage, but SF State held the one advantage that counts and that is the final score 1-0.
Allison Land recorded six saves en route to her seventh shutout of the season in goal for the Gators (6-6-4, 5-6-3 CCAA). With the win, SF State keeps its hopes alive for a berth in the 2013 CCAA Soccer Championships in Turlock, Calif., in two weeks. The Gators one of six teams going for the final two spots in the four-team post season tournament (Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State L.A., UC San Diego, SF State, Cal Poly Pomona and Chico State). Cal State Stanislaus and Sonoma State already have clinched their berths in the CCAA Championship with two matches left in the regular season.
Cal Poly Pomona came out firing in the first half as the hosts had five shot attempts in the first 10 minutes including one that was stopped by Land in the 9th minute off the foot of Samantha Stiles.
SF State had its only shot on goal attempt in the 32nd minute off the foot of Mari Mendizabal stopped by the Broncos' Alex Abbott (which was her only save of the match).
The Broncos had their final shot attempt sail high with nine seconds left in the half to send the match scoreless heading into the halftime.
Cal Poly Pomona started the second half where the Broncos started the first recording five shots in the first 15 minutes including two shot on goal attempts that were stopped by Land.
SF State had two chances to take the lead in the 71st minute but Mendizabal's attempt was blocked. Eight seconds later, Stephanie Vanni's attempt sailed wide right.
With a little over five minutes left in the match, Alex Palomino connected on her first goal as a Gator off a ball from Chloe Harrington in what proved to be the game-winner.
The Broncos had a chance to tie the match sail wide left with three minutes left as the Gators held on for a 1-0 conference road victory.
SF State will return home for its final two matches of the regular season this coming weekend. The Gators will host Cal State Monterey Bay this Friday, November 1 at 3pm in a rematch of an earlier season match in which the Otters won 1-0 in Seaside, Calif. Then a week from today, SF State will host #25 Cal State San Bernardino in the Gators' regular season home finale. Prior to the match, the Gators will recognize Lauren Floro, Chloe Harrington, Mari Mendizabal and Nicole Smith in their annual Senior Day ceremony.
Box Score
