The Mustangs and the undefeated California Golden Bears will meet in a highly anticipated conference matchup on Saturday, Feb. 28, in San Luis Obispo — the last home match of the season for the squad celebrating its departing seniors.
Kickoff is 11 a.m. on the Lower Sports Complex fields. B-side plays at 1 p.m.
It’s a match-up described by Cal Poly assistant coach Paul Cappellano as one that could decide the Pacific Mountain Conference playoff picture.
The Bears defeated UC Santa Cruz last week, 62-0, and defeated Chico State 90-7 back in January.
The Mustangs will be celebrating six departing seniors. Cal Poly merchandise will be available for purchase on location.
Stanford defeats Cal Poly in friendly, Saturday, Feb. 21
Write-up courtesy of assistant Cal Poly coach Paul Cappellano.
Cal Poly hosted Stanford in a friendly match in place of Chico State, which forfeited.
Coming off a historic 31-29 victory at Stanford, the teams agreed that additional competition would help keep both sides sharp ahead of the postseason. Rolling substitutions were permitted, and a full match was played with hydration breaks at each quarter. Local referee Andrew Doukas officiated.
Cal Poly struck quickly, moving the ball out of rucks and into the hands of Liz Goethals for the first try of the match. Mia Nelson converted to give the Mustangs a 7-0 lead.
Stanford responded within minutes to even the score.
Cal Poly answered before the first hydration break with a forward try of its own. After several pick-and-go phases, June powered over for a try to restore the lead.
Stanford began asserting its forward pack, mauling off lineouts for short gains. Content to kick for territory, the Cardinal scored two additional tries through that strategy, including an unconverted try in the 35th minute.
Undeterred, Cal Poly strung together multiple rucks following a Stanford turnover. The visitors’ desperate defense resulted in a penalty inside their own 22-meter line after a line break by Ella Blue. Halfback Audrey Johnson took a quick tap and darted through defenders to score just before halftime.
As she did in the Feb. 7 victory at Stanford, Nelson converted from a difficult angle to put Cal Poly ahead 21-19 at the break.
Cal Poly’s reserves held their own in the second half. However, Stanford scored twice after intermission to finish with 33 points.