Cal Poly’s women’s soccer squad finally snapped a 13‑year winless opening‑match streak with a narrow 1‑0 victory over UNLV on a crisp Saturday afternoon in San Luis Obispo.
Junior midfielder Miah Thomas, making her first appearance for the Mustangs after transferring from Cal State Bakersfield, coolly converted a penalty in the 85th minute to seal the win, a moment that sparked celebration among teammates and fans alike.
The match saw a flurry of disciplinary action, with UNLV’s Felicity Garcia and Cal Poly’s Farra Franklin each receiving a red card after accumulating a second yellow, leaving both sides reduced and the contest increasingly tactical.
A milestone for the Mustangs
Cal Poly dominated possession in the second half, outshot UNLV 11‑6 overall and generated a series of chances that tested the Rebels’ defense, while goalkeeper Shannon Porubski made two crucial saves to record her tenth career shutout.
Head coach Bernardo Silva praised Thomas’s impact, noting that the transfer’s work ethic and vision have already begun to shape the team’s identity as they integrate a wave of newcomers, including freshmen Siena Urzua, Annika Smith, Kenzie Herzing, Kate Nunes, Madison Lujan, Mya Clarke and Koko Harris.
The Mustangs now turn their attention to a marquee showdown with No. 1‑ranked Stanford on Sunday, a rematch of last year’s NCAA first‑round defeat that ended 3‑1 in Stanford’s favor, adding extra narrative weight to the upcoming clash.
Adding to the weekend’s excitement, the program is hosting Club Soccer Day, offering free admission for children 12 and under, an initiative aimed at growing youth participation in the sport across the region.