Highlanders Snap Winless Streak at Three, 2-0 Over Cal Poly

Saturday, October 28

UC Riverside

Cal Poly

Highlanders Snap Winless Streak at Three, 2-0 Over Cal Poly

10/28/2006 3:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Riverside—UC Riverside got goals in each half to defeat visiting Cal Poly 2-0 in a Big West Conference match Saturday afternoon at the UCR Soccer Stadium. The Highlanders improve to to 5-10-2, 2-4-2 in the Big West while the Mustangs suffer just their second defeat in seven matches to drop to 7-7-4, 3-4-2.

UCR entered the game having not scored in over 400 minutes but came out of the gates with energy and determination, sending two shots on the Mustang goal in the first seven minutes. That effort was rewarded after 15 minutes on an outstanding solo effort from freshman forward Robert Cate (Alameda, CA). Making just his third career start, Cate picked the ball up in an attacking position and split two defenders to advance into the penalty area. His finish was nothing short of clinical, beating Cal Poly goalkeeper Eric Branagan-Franco from six yards for his first career goal.

Cal Poly had won the teams' earlier meeting this season, 1-0 in San Luis Obispo on October 4, and pushed forward for the equalizer. UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) kept out his hometown school, however, denying Dominic Papa and K.J. Lenehan before halftime.

The Highlanders had a chance to make it 2-0 before the break when freshman forward Nathan Paterson (Modesto, CA) busted through the Mustang defense. With just the keeper to beat, Paterson pushed his effort wide.

Although Cal Poly held an 11-9 shot advantage for the game, it was UCR who controlled the tempo and their crisp passing was the key to the second goal. Junior midfielder Andrew Villalobos (Whittier, CA) provided the build up through the middle before sending a ball out wide on the right to freshman forward Michael Galland (Claremont, CA). Galland sidestepped his defender to the byline and cut back a low cross towards the penalty area. Junior midfielder Brandon Plummer (Huntington Beach, CA) arrived in time to send a one-touch right-footed shot into the lower left corner. Branagan-Franco got a hand to it but could not keep it out as Plummer celebrated his second goal of the season.

The Highlander defense kept the Mustangs at bay for the remainder of the game and Alamo had only to make two first-half saves for his third shutout of the season and 10th of his career. Branagan-Franco did not stop a shot in taking the loss.