Broncos Season Comes to a Close in NCAA Semifinal Round
Originally posted on broncoathletics.com
KANSAS CITY – The impressive run by the Cal Poly Pomona men's soccer team came to an end on Thursday night at Swope Soccer Village, losing to third-ranked University of Charleston (WV) 1-0 in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II National Championship.
Playing their third straight Top 5 opponent in the tournament, the Broncos (17-6-1) held closely with the Golden Eagles throughout the game, giving up the game-winning goal in the final two minutes of play.
Charleston pressured CPP early in the contest, controlling the ball from the start but unable to make anything of their early opportunities.
"I told the group they have accomplished so much, especially the seniors, a group of 10 guys that have put this team on the map with three tournament appearances, three west region championship appearances and two final fours in three years and it's a huge accomplishment," said Head Coach
Adam Reeves.
In the first set piece of the match, the Eagles took a corner, landing a header on target before the knee of
Angel Cova kept the ball from crossing the goal line and keeping the match level at 0-0.
The Broncos settled down midway through the first half, controlling the ball on Charleston's half before earning one of their best opportunities as
Sergi Monso launched a ball, grazing off the fingertips of the goalie for a corner kick.
CPP tallied seven shots with two landing on target while UC finished with 14 total shots and six shots on goal. With neither team able to find an edge in the first half, both teams headed into the break deadlocked at 0-0.
Senior keeper
Jason Trejos played a fantastic game between the posts for the Broncos, tallying five saves including a diving save in the opening minutes of the second half, keeping his team alive.
As the match went on, CPP continued to find an answer for the fourth-ranked offense in UC, keeping them without a score late into the contest.
With the clock winding down, Monso controlled the ball from 25-yards out, set up, and took a shot towards the upper corner of the goal and out of reach of a diving keeper, but curved the ball just past the post.
On the counter in the 88
th minute, Charleston broke through the Broncos defense, shooting an attempt into the lower right corner of the net before an initial save stopped the ball momentarily, eventually being knocked into the goal.
"It's a tough way for your season to end, with a mistake by a guy that has been rock solid for the past two years. They played their hearts out tonight and it was a game with not a lot of offensive threats, both teams had a lot of possession and ultimately a mistake decided the game"
The 2017 season marked the third straight season the Broncos advanced to the NCAA National Tournament and the second season in that time span reaching the final four.
"I am so proud of the seniors and the lasting legacy they left for the future teams to look up to and try to follow. We will remember this group for a long time."