AUSTIN, Texas — St. Edward's and Cal Poly Pomona traded goals four minutes apart during an open second half, but neither could deliver the final breakthrough as the Hilltoppers settled for a 1-1 draw Thursday night at Lewis-Chen Family Field.
MISAEL RANGEL scored his second goal of the season off an assist from IZAIAH GARZA in the 57th minute, giving St. Edward's the lead amid a strong opening stretch to the second half. Cal Poly Pomona's Nico Sanchez answered in the 61st, and the teams exchanged chances through the final whistle.
After going into halftime scoreless without putting a shot on target, St. Edward's emerged from the break with renewed urgency. The Hilltoppers generated five shots in the opening eight minutes, including a pair of opportunities for Rangel.
RILEY BAROLDY pushed a shot wide just 20 seconds into the half, and TIMMY HOLLENBECK had an attempt blocked following a corner kick. Baroldy then forced goalkeeper Jack Chapman into his first save of the match before Rangel had one shot blocked and another saved.
The sustained pressure finally produced the opening goal at 56:25. Garza, who had entered the match less than two minutes earlier, connected with Rangel for the finish and a 1-0 advantage.
The lead lasted just three minutes and 37 seconds. Cal Poly Pomona responded with three consecutive shots before Sanchez found the equalizer at 60:02.
The Broncos continued to apply pressure as the second half unfolded, but goalkeeper Edward Alonzi helped keep the match level. Alonzi finished with six saves, while the Hilltoppers' TIMMY HOLLENBECK added a team save on Jacob Ramirez's attempt in the 78th minute, sprinting back for a spectacular stop.
Alonzi made three more stops over the next three minutes, denying Daniel Gutierrez and turning away two shots from Marvin Gamez during Cal Poly Pomona's most dangerous stretch of the closing half.
St. Edward's recovered to create the better chances in the final minutes. FILIP ADAMSKI put a shot on target in the 87th minute, and ALEX LOYA forced another Chapman save in the 89th. The Hilltoppers earned corner kicks after both attempts but could not find the winning goal.
Cal Poly Pomona finished with a 21-16 advantage in shots and an 8-6 edge in shots on goal. St. Edward's held a 5-4 advantage in corner kicks and generated 11 of its 16 shots after halftime.
Rangel led the Hilltoppers with three shots and two on target. Baroldy also attempted three shots, while Chapman made five saves for the Broncos.
The draw moved St. Edward's to 1-1-2 through four matches, with both ties coming at Lewis-Chen Family Field.
