SAN FRANCISCO —
Julio Gonzalez Ponce scored a brace in the first half on Saturday but the San Francisco State men's soccer team came up short, 4-3 versus Cal Poly Humboldt, in the first match of a three-game homestand.
- The Gators fall to 2-5-2 and 0-2-1 in CCAA action while Cal Poly Humboldt improves to 4-4-1 overall and 1-2 in CCAA action.
- Gonzalez Ponce scored twice, bringing his season total to a team-leading four goals and nine points.
- SF State outshot Cal Poly Humboldt 18-8, including 11-7 on goal.
- The Gators were also unable to capitalize on their corner kick advantage (12-2).
The Gators caught a break early when they drew a foul in the box, which set up a penalty kick for Gonzalez Ponce. The PK was saved by Adrian Gallardo but Gonzalez Ponce slid in with the follow for the goal. Only a couple of minutes later, the Lumberjacks evened the match at 1-1 on an unassisted goal by Juan Perez. Then, in the 15th minute, Cal Poly Humboldt took a 2-1 advantage on Marcus Abdel-Malek's goal into the bottom right. SF State wasted no time and answered just 14 seconds later when Pedro Moura played a ball near the midfield into the box, where Gonzalez Ponce booted it in for the equalizer. A costly miscue came in the 33rd minute when the Gators defense attempted to play the ball back to the goalkeeper. Instead, Cooper Stephens intercepted the passl and scored against an undefended net.
SF State tied the game in the 55th minute when Denis Vezina played a long ball to Emerson Trujillo but the Lumberjacks regained the lead for good four minutes later. An SF State foul in the box set up a penalty kick for Cole Falco, who converted what turned out to be the game-winnner.
Fernando Escobedo Guzman (1-2) allowed four goals and made three saves for SF State. Adrian Gallardo (3-6-8) picked up the win with eight saves and three goals allowed.
SF State continues the three-game homestand on Sunday, October 8 at 2 p.m. versus Sonoma State. To commemorate 50 years of NCAA Division II, the first 100 fans at Sunday's doubleheader will receive an SF State NCAA Division II 50th Anniversary T-shirt. Live stats will be available at sfstategators.com and fans can stream the game live on the CCAA Network. Live updates will also be provided on X at @sfstate_msoc.
