SAN LUIS OBISPO – Junior forward Chris Gaschen and freshman midfielder Nolan Moore each found the back of the opposition net for the first time in 2011 as the Cal Poly men’s soccer program, enjoying five different goalscorers on Sunday afternoon, registered its largest margin of victory and goal output at Alex G. Spanos Stadium with a 5-0 whitewash of UC Riverside.

Senior midfielder Kyle Montgomery and sophomore forwards Ian Clark and Mackenzie Pridham  each scored their second goals of the season for Cal Poly (5-4-2, 2-1-0), which moved into second place in the conference standings after totaling the program’s highest goal output in a Big West match. Cal Poly’s five goals were also the program’s top total since drubbing Cal State Monterey Bay on Sept. 1, 2000, 8-0.

The Mustangs, who posted their 20th shutout in four-plus seasons at Spanos Stadium, have failed to concede a goal against the Highlanders (6-4-1, 1-2-0) during the last four home matchups.

It was UC Riverside that enjoyed the first chance to break the scoreless deadlock on Sunday, but Mustang senior center back Patrick Sigler repelled a seventh-minute attempt from Highlander senior forward Cesar Diaz off the goal line.

The Mustangs allowed just two more UC Riverside shots the remainder of the half and, from that point, enjoyed the run of play. Cal Poly twice tested Highlander senior goalkeeper Cody Suppè before Clark broke through during the 27th minute, latching on to a pass from senior right back Cameron Walters in front of goal.

Gaschen doubled Cal Poly’s lead just five minutes later after corralling a blocked Clark shot outside the penalty area and rocketing an attempt past Suppè from 35 yards.

Pridham furthered Cal Poly’s lead to 3-0 during the 59th after collecting a loose attempt from Gaschen. In the 85th, freshman forward Keegan Smith played in a ball from the left flank to Moore, who lined up his first collegiate goal from the top of the UC Riverside penalty area.

The Mustangs, who outshot UC Riverside, 21-9, finalized the scoring in the 89th with Montgomery taking a feed from junior forward Dakota Collins and driving home the fifth goal from in front of net.

Senior goalkeeper Patrick McLain recorded three saves for Cal Poly, which continues its four-match Big West home stand on Tuesday, Oct. 11 versus Cal State Northridge at 1 p.m. The Matadors fell against No. 7 UC Irvine on Saturday, 2-0.  

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