POMONA, Calif.-- Kevin Martinez connected on a free kick from 22 yards out in what proved to be the game-winner as the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos defeated the visiting San Francisco State Gators 1-0 this afternoon at Kellogg Field in Pomona.
"It was a great game against a very good team today despite the result," said San Francisco State head coach
Javier Ayala-Hil. "We played hard, controlled moments of the game but just came up short. We are looking to move forward from this and focus on our game this Sunday."
The loss by the Gators snapped their five-match winning streak, the longest since 1979 by a San Francisco men's soccer program. Today's match was the beginning of a four-match road trip for the Gators. This Sunday, San Francisco State travels to San Bernardino for 11:30am starting match with Cal State San Bernardino. The Coyotes played to a scoreless tie with Cal State Monterey Bay earlier this afternoon in San Bernardino.
The 2015 NCAA Division II National Champion Runner-ups, Cal Poly Pomona Broncos, held a 11-6 advantage shot attempts including holding a 7-3 advantage in the first half. The Broncos (6-2-1, 2-1 CCAA) and the Gators each recorded three corner kicks.
Johnny Villeda had the first shot attempt for the Gators but it was blocked by the Bronco defense in the eighth minute. Cal Poly Pomona saw their first attempt for the lead be stopped by the Gators'
Emmanuel Jimenez off the foot of Jeremy Totays in the 15
th minute.
The Gators (5-2, 2-1 CCAA) had two chances to take the lead in the 27
th minute, but the Broncos' Jason Trejos stopped
KJ Ahlo's shot on goal attempt. Then of the rebound,
Emmanuel Serrano's shot attempt sailed wide right.
The score remained scoreless until the 32
nd minute, when the Gators were called for a foul outside the box and Cal Poly Pomona took advantage of the visitors' mistake. The Broncos' Kevin Martinez connected on the free kick from 22-yards out to give the hosts the 1-0 lead.
Cal Poly Pomona had a chance to double its lead, but Jimenez made one of his three saves for the guests stopping Jordan Jackmon's shot on goal attempt as the Broncos took a 1-0 lead into the half.
It looked like the Gators were going to tie the match in the 58
th minute, but Serrano's shot sailed wide off a corner kick by
Ashley Watson.
San Francisco State had two more chances to tie the match at 1-1 in the 80
th minute, but
Richard Leon's shot was stopped by Trejos and then
Andy Altamirano's shot sailed wide.
That was the last two shots in the match as the Broncos held on for the 1-0 conference victory.
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Gator Athletics has a proud tradition of competitive success within the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The department offers 12 intercollegiate sports programs: Baseball, Men's and Women's Basketball, Men's and Women's Cross Country, Men's and Women's Soccer, Softball, Women's Track & Field, Women's Volleyball and Men's Wrestling.
Gator Athletics places great emphasis on academic performance as well as athletic achievement. The program offers student athletes the opportunity to reach their educational goals, as well pursue meaningful athletic accomplishments. For more information, visit SF State Athletics' website, Twitter and Facebook pages.
