Along with returning players, freshman, and transfers, Cal Poly will have defensive midfielder Kody Wakasa back in the lineup. By Owen Main

After their 2-0 defeat of Cal State Monterey Bay, Cal Poly men’s soccer will continue their exhibition season with a match against Pac-12 champion Stanford on Saturday evening at 7:00pm at Alex G. Spanos Stadium. Admission is free.

Under new head coach, Steve Sampson, Cal Poly is changing some things about the way they play. Sampson told all players that no positions were guaranteed going into the Spring season, and players seem to have taken it to heart.

The return of Ruben Duran and Kody Wakasa, both of whom redshirted last season, along with transfer Bjorn Sandberg bolsters the team’s depth immediately. Cal Poly only lost one player to graduation after last season.

Also back in the mix are Brett Foreman and Nick Carroll, both of whom missed significant time last year. Adding in the freshmen who will compete next season, it seems that depth — a weakness for the Mustangs a season ago — may be slowly turning into a strength.

Steve Sampson has high expectations for the Cal Poly program. While the outcome of a spring game or two won’t make a huge difference in the long run, players are fighting for Fall playing time right now, and I think it will be fascinating to watch this team’s transition over the next 12-18 months.

After the Stanford game, Cal Poly has a few additional games this spring. Head Coach Steve Sampson discusses it below.

Photos by Owen Main

Steve Sampson on the field at Alex G. Spanos Stadium on Thursday afternoon. By Owen Main

I did something a little different this week. With the signing of former United States National Team head coach, Steve Sampson, at Cal Poly, I thought it appropriate to play the entirety of the press conference as well as my interviews with Matt LaGrassa and Kip Colvey.

Hope you enjoy.

Chase Minter put Cal Poly ahead in the first half and Sean Dhillon put them up for good as the Mustangs stole three points on the road at Sacramento State on Saturday afternoon.

Cal Poly played the game without its two starting central defenders. Brett Foreman and Nick Carroll. Already missing defensive player Kody Wakasa this season, interim head coach Phil Ruskin had to make some adjustments.

Cal Poly’s Kaba Alkebulan battles for an arial ball on Saturday afternoon in Sacramento. By Owen Main

Ruskin went to two of his most trusted guys — Sean Dhillon and captain Matt LaGrassa to fill on the back line. Dhillon had been playing a wing back position and LaGrassa has played all over the central midfield. While neither Dhillon nor LaGrassa are particularly big, LaGrassa is one of Cal Poly’s best players in the air. He proved it by getting to a number of crosses ahead of Hornet attackers throughout the match.

Sacramento State did have a few early chances, including one off the post that could have changed the complexion of the match. Instead, Cal Poly’s Minter came up with a goal before halftime that set the tone for the remainder of the match.

In the second half, Sac State tied the game on a 62nd minute Cody Hoster goal, but the Mustangs bounced back. In the 76th minute, a charging Sean Dhillon took a pass from Minter and put the Mustangs ahead. Cal Poly would get some help with an own goal in the 88th minute to secure the 3-1 road victory.

Sac State’s soccer facility — Kind of nice.

Sacramento State’s soccer facility was very spectator-friendly and, though small, pretty nice. The pitch, while a little muddy in some places, had grass that looked more like a golf fairway. The stands, while pretty small, are set under a row of overhanging trees, providing really nice afternoon shade for those fans watching the match.

The shade was a challenge for this photographer as it crept farther and farther onto the pitch, but for a facility I didn’t have much expectation for coming in, the Hornets have made themselves a nice little home away from their football stadium, which has an artificial surface.

Causeway Cup coming to Bonney Field

I was told by a local newspaper writer that Sac State is trying something new in their college soccer rivalry, playing their home “Causeway Cup” game at Bonney Field. Bonney Field is host to Sacramento Republic FC, the reigning USL Pro Champions. USL Pro is the third-tier league in the United States, and is a place MLS teams can assign players to get some game action.

I was told Republic FC sold-out all but one of their matches this season and if vying for an MLS team in the near future — with plans to further expand Bonney Field.

If Sac State and UC Davis could amp up their rivalry, the Big West North could continue to get more and more competitive. Let’s be honest, big rivalries and big college soccer crowds are nothing but fun.

Big West Division Openers

With the win on Saturday, Cal Poly remains in a first-place tie. In the other Big West North game, UC Davis scored a dramatic goal in the second overtime period to upend UCSB 1-0. The Mustangs and Aggies lead the division with 10 points each. UCSB and Sacramento State stay on 7 and 6 points respectively. UC Irvine beat Cal State Fullerton on Saturday and also have 10 points in conference.

Cal Poly hosts UC Davis on Wednesday night at Alex G. Spanos Stadium (7:00 pm) and plays in Goleta on Saturday at 7:30 in a match that will be televised on Fox Sports Prime Ticket.

Photos by Owen Main

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