WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Midwestern State defeated Cal Poly Pomona 2-1 on Saturday night at Stang Park.
Parker Plaxco scored from close range off
Tanner Tea's assist on a throw in at 89:52 to break a 1-1 tie.
Plaxco put the Mustangs ahead at 36:05, converting a penalty kick for the first goal of the match. Earlier, MSU absorbed a CPP push that included five shots and a corner in the middle of the half, with
Jake Morris making saves to keep the match scoreless. The Maroon & Gold then built pressure with corner kicks and shots from Victor Hernandez,
Eduardo Cerna and Plaxco before the penalty, and
Cooper Tea later forced another save after the goal. Morris added two more saves in the final eight minutes of the half, helping the Mustangs take a 1-0 lead into halftime.
Plaxco gave MSU the late answer, scoring off
Tanner Tea's long throw in at 89:52 to put the home side ahead 2-1. Earlier, the Mustangs carried a 1-0 lead into a busy opening stretch, earning corners at 48:34, 55:05 and 58:16 while Plaxco and
Liam Kervick each forced saves from Jack Chapman. The half grew physical through the middle stages, but the Maroon & Gold continued to create chances, including shots from
Jose Ortiz,
Alan Rivera, Lawrence Doe and
Cooper Tea during a stretch from the 68th through 78th minutes. CPP tied the match on Marvin Gamez's penalty kick at 80:47 and followed with late pressure, including a shot off the left woodwork and a Morris save, before Plaxco's finish delivered MSU's 2-1 final result.
Mustangs Top Performers
- two goals
- four points
- four shots, three on goal
- game-winning goal
Jake Morris
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- five saves
- 90:00 in goal
- one goal allowed
Tanner Tea
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- one assist
- one point
Cooper Tea
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- three shots, two on goal
CPP Top Performers
Marvin Gamez
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- 1 goal
- 3 shots, 2 on goal
Jack Chapman
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- 5 saves
Jose Garcia
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- 4 shots, 1 on goal
Nico Sanchez
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- 4 shots
Up next, the Mustangs face Western Oregon at a neutral site in Salem, Ore., on Thursday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m.
