Oct. 12, 2003

Box Score

SPOKANE, Wash. - Mark Jones converted a penalty kick at 70:04 and that was the difference Sunday as Cal Poly defeated Gonzaga University 1-0 in a non-conference men's soccer match at Martin Field.

The loss was the second straight at home for the Bulldogs (5-5-1) who dropped a 3-2 overtime decision to the University of Portland last weekend in the West Coast Conference opener.

Jones got his chance when Gonzaga freshman keeper Kris Wright came out for a ball and took down a Cal Poly player without touching the ball. Jones beat Wright low and to the keeper's right on the penalty kick.

The Bulldogs thought they had taken an early lead when Kari Aranson's apparent goal on a header off a Scott Yuska free kick was disallowed on an offside call less than a minute into the match.

"It was close," Gonzaga head coach Einar Thorarinsson said of the offside.

Both teams had excellent scoring opportunities near the 10-minute mark of the first half. Arnason had a shot from 8 yards sail high over the net and the Mustangs' Ronnie Silva had a shot go wide left from 12 yards.

Brian Reed came close to giving the Mustangs a 2-0 lead when he had a breakaway and Wright came out ot meet the shot, getting his left hand on the ball to thwart the goal in the 78th minute. Gonzaga also had a chance to tie in the 86th minute when John Reha's soft shot was knocked out of harms way by a Cal Poly defender.

Wright had three saves in the match while Cal Poly's Greg Blevins had just one save. Cal Poly held a 13-4 shots advantage.

There were several stoppages of play throughout the match, including eight for yellow cards, five against the Bulldogs. Gonzaga was called for 18 fouls, Cal Poly nine.

The Bulldogs also had a pair of freshmen making their collegiate debuts as Ben Sawyer and Scott Campbell got starting nods to help shore up Gonzaga's ranks which have been depleted by injury. Defenders Rob Anderson, Grayson Tenney and Charles Wells remain sidelined. Forward Arni Ingi Pjetursson also did not suit up Sunday because of a sore hamstring. Jon Baune, injured last week against Portland, was able to play on Sunday and was in the starting lineup.

"I thought our youngs players did well," Thorarinsson said. "Campbell and Sawyer had not played a collegiate match and they started. Freshman Daniel Scott continues to play well on defense also. And Steve Owens is a redshirt freshman who gets better with every match."

The Bulldogs return to WCC play next weekend with a Saturday night match at Santa Clara University for Gonzaga's only outing of the week.