UC Irvine Beats Cal Poly With Late Goal
A goal in the final seconds secures a 1-0 win for UC Irvine over a heavily rotated Cal Poly side.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Soccer
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UC Irvine defeated Cal Poly 1-0 on October 21, 2026, ending the visitors' two-match winning streak. The deciding goal came in the closing seconds following a successful pass through the Cal Poly backline.
Why it matters
The result comes after Cal Poly coaches chose to rest several key starters, opting to utilize reserve players for the non-conference competition. This rotation provided extended playing time for players like goalkeeper Ben Oetman during a dense part of the season schedule.
Cal Poly goalkeeper Ben Oetman made three saves in his first career start, while the team recorded eight total shots. UC Irvine's win keeps their season record at 9-5-2.
The players
Ben Oetman
He is a goalkeeper for the Cal Poly men's soccer team who made his first career start during the match against UC Irvine.
Charlie Hogan
He is a collegiate soccer player who was the only individual to start both the match against Oregon State and the match against UC Irvine.
Michael Vick
He is a soccer player for Cal Poly who recorded a team-high three shots during the loss in Irvine.
The details
Cal Poly made 10 changes to its starting lineup, with Charlie Hogan serving as the only player to start in both this match and the preceding victory against Oregon State. The game-winning sequence for UC Irvine relied on a precise pass that created a one-on-one opportunity against the goalkeeper.
Timeline
October 18, 2026: Cal Poly defeated Oregon State.
October 21, 2026: UC Irvine defeated Cal Poly.
October 24, 2026: Cal Poly plays Gonzaga.
Season Trajectory
This loss ends Cal Poly's two-match winning streak, forcing the team to adjust its momentum as it enters the final stretch of the regular season. The team now prepares for two remaining matches, with upcoming play against Gonzaga determining their final conference standing.
Cal Poly enters its final two regular-season games with a 6-5-5 record, looking to regain form after using a rotated squad. UC Irvine improves to 9-5-2, closing out the home fixture with a late-game tactical advantage.
The takeaway
Coaches often prioritize player health over individual results during non-conference matches to ensure squad readiness for the postseason. Fans can expect continued rotation in upcoming games as teams manage heavy cumulative minute counts for their primary starters.
What happens next
Cal Poly is scheduled to play Gonzaga on October 24, 2026.
Further reading
For more on local matches, visit the Soccer section.
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