Bryant Drops Season Opener to Cal Poly 4-2

August 26, 2004

POMONA CAL. ? The Bryant University men?s soccer team lost in their season opener to the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos 4-2 Thursday.

Andrew Pierce opened the scoring for the Broncos with a strong individual effort, fighting off the Bryant defense and rifling a shot into the net just six minutes into the game.

The 1-0 Broncos lead held throughout the first half, but five minutes into the second half they added a goal by Robert Cardenas to take a 2-0 led.

Bryant responded when junior Joe Truncali (Unionville, Ct) converted a shot past Cal Poly Pomona goalie after a pass from sophomore Bryan Gravel (Londonderry, NH).

Six minutes after the Bulldogs scored the Broncos added another goal when Matt Baker scored to give Cal Poly a 3-1 led.

Bryant battled back and closed the gap to 3-2 in the 68th minute when freshman Michael Garguilo (North Branford, Conn.) scored off an assist from senior Clint Stonacek (Omaha, NE)

The Broncos countered in the 80th minute when Barker headed in a pass from Pierce while in a huge crowd in front of the Bryant net.

Bryant has one more game left on their west coast trip. The will play Cal State L.A. on Sunday. Game time is set for 12 noon pacific.