Season Opener at Spanos Stadium
Cal Poly opened its season with a tightly contested 1-1 draw against San Diego at Spanos Stadium, a venue that has become a familiar battleground for the Mustangs.
The breakthrough came early when San Diego's defender Siena Urzua inadvertently turned the ball into her own net, gifting Cal Poly a 1-0 lead that set an eager tone for the home side.
Twenty minutes in, San Diego answered back as Hannah Faklaris capitalized on a corner kick, leveling the score and shifting momentum.
The second half saw the Mustangs tighten their grip on the game, with senior defender Siena Urzua carving out a dangerous corner that nearly produced a second goal.
In the 87th minute, sophomore Kenzie Herzing unleashed a powerful shot that forced the USD goalkeeper into a scramble, though the attempt was ultimately saved.
A late handball resulted in a free‑kick situation, but the resulting strike was again denied by the goalkeeper, sealing the match at 1-1.
Overall, San Diego outshot Cal Poly 9‑7, underscoring a competitive contest that hinged on moments rather than dominance.
The game also marked the first start for transfer Sam Liaty, who stepped onto the pitch as a junior from Tarleton State and contributed to the midfield.
Coach's Take
Head coach Bernardo Silva praised the team's effort but stressed the need for sharper execution and additional training repetitions to convert the promising phases into goals.
Next up, the Mustangs travel to Tempe to face Arizona State on Sunday, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. and a live stream on ESPN+.