After a tough road trip to open the season, Cal Poly men’s soccer continued their year-long home undefeated streak in their first match at Mustang Memorial Field in 2025.
Facing off against No. 20 ranked University of San Francisco (4-1-1), the Mustangs’ (1-3-1) defense shined on Thursday night, netting its second clean sheet of the season. The first of three consecutive home games in September, the match also serves as a shift in momentum for the Mustangs.
Cal Poly continues to make their home-field advantage one of the most daunting in the NCAA, even after its road trip that featured some of the best opponents in the nation.
“When you come back from high altitude and play the four games that we’ve just played on the road, it’s a tough turnaround,” Head Coach Oige Kennedy said, “So the guys can be proud of how hard they battled, and they came really close to getting the win.”
Dominance in the 805
The Mustangs are carrying on a nine-match home undefeated streak in the regular season, stretching back to the end of the 2023 season.
Cal Poly has conceded just two goals in that stretch of games, contributing to the lowest home goals-against average in the nation last year.
“Spanos is our fortress,” sophomore forward Finn Linas said. “When we’re here, we feel like no matter who’s on the other side, no matter who we’re playing, it should be a result for us, and that we come in with the advantage.”
For Coach Kennedy, holding opponents scoreless at home is the bedrock of Cal Poly’s success.
Led by its senior and reigning Big West Goalkeeper of the Year Nicky McCune, junior Big West Defender of the Year Parker Owens and senior Big West Honorable Mention Nico Baltazar, Cal Poly’s defense found the rhythm it needed against a formidable San Francisco attack.
“Keeping a clean sheet is obviously everything,” Baltazar said. “Doing it at home makes a statement that nobody’s going to come in here and have it easy.”
McCune made two saves, including a late stop in the 87th minute to secure the point for Cal Poly.
Dons goalkeeper Lucas Jones made his presence known multiple times throughout the match, with dangerous shots for the Mustangs forcing four saves out of the San Francisco keeper.
Despite narrowly missing out on the victory, Cal Poly is looking forwards, not back.
What’s next?
“We can’t reminisce on what could have been of this match,” Baltazar said. “It’s time to flip the page and get set for the next opponent and stay united to get that result.”
With two more home matches on the horizon, Cal Poly has the chance to continue their dominance at home. The Mustangs face off against Saint Mary’s on Sunday, Sep. 14 at 4 p.m., before taking on Utah Tech the following Thursday.