SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.
The Cal Poly Mustangs mens soccer team fell 3-2 to the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners on September 16, 2026, at Mustang Memorial Field in San Luis Obispo.
Cal State Bakersfield took an early 2-0 lead within the first 22 minutes with goals from Oshea Foster and Charlie Cazares. The Mustangs managed four early shots but did not register any on target until junior forward Colin Pearce earned and converted a penalty kick in the 35th minute, cutting the Roadrunners’ lead to 2-1 at halftime.
The Roadrunners extended their lead to 3-1 in the 64th minute when Justin Knighton scored from outside the penalty area. Cal Poly earned a second penalty in the 82nd minute after defender Keagan Rhodes was fouled while attempting to score. Pearce took the penalty again, and although his initial shot was saved, he scored on the rebound to narrow the deficit to 3-2.
The Mustangs were unable to score again before the final whistle, marking the first time since September 1, 2024, that Cal Poly conceded three goals in a match, ending a 43-game streak without allowing three goals.
Pearce, who leads Cal Poly with three goals this season, became the first Mustang since Quinn Mahoney in September 2025 to score two goals in a single game.
Cal Poly returns to Mustang Memorial Field to face No. 25 UC Santa Barbara in a key rivalry match on September 25, 2026, at 7 p.m.
CSB Take
Despite two penalty goals from Colin Pearce, defensive lapses early in the match left Cal Poly playing catch-up against a strong Cal State Bakersfield team. Conceding three goals ended the Mustangs remarkable defensive streak, highlighting an area requiring improvement. With a challenging game against ranked UC Santa Barbara approaching, Cal Poly must tighten its defense while continuing to capitalize on scoring chances to remain competitive in the season.
Source: Original report
