Gator women’s soccer coach Jack Hyde told his players that if one of them scored, he would dive into the mud that covered the field at Cox Stadium. Shortly after, his white turtleneck was covered with mud, as the Gators beat the Cal Poly Pomona Broncos, 1-0 in 2OT.

Carly Bliss scored her first goal of the season with the assist from Lauren Candia during the 108th minute of the game. Pomona goalie Amanda Cunningham, who had four saves, was caught out of position and paid the price as Bliss tipped the ball in off her head.

The Gators (6-7, 4-4-1 CCAA) rebounded from a 1-0 home loss against Chico State last Sunday. The Broncos (8-5, 5-5 CCAA) have lost four of their last six games. They were 4-0 on the road until Saturday’s loss at SF State.

“Both teams had their chances,” coach Hyde said. “One mistake on either end could have decided this game and we were lucky enough to come out on top.”

The Gators had been shutout seven of their 13 games before Saturday’s match, and have struggled to score all season.

The more common sight of grass-stained jerseys was replaced with mud smeared across each player's uniform. After heavy rain pelted the field at Cox Stadium, which caused the Friday match up to be postponed until Saturday morning, there were many spills and falls by both teams. Some members of the men’s soccer squad cheered and appreciated it.

“[It’s so hard] to play in the mud,” Rachel Brusnahan, who played the whole game, said. “Its hard running and trying to chase people because [the mud] makes the legs heavy.”

Gator goalie Emily Hart said the team countered this hindrance by getting kicks from the corner because the field there was drier. “The field is really important and it really slowed down the game,” she said.

Though the field was a mess and difficult for Brusnahan, Hart was happy with Brusnahan's performance. Hart, who had seven saves in the match, said the Broncos kept a person down the sideline and would cut across the back. Also their forwards would try to push on, but Brusnahan kept fighting them off.

“I’m completely satisfied with this team and how they stayed together, believed, and wanted it,” coach Hyde said.

Brusnahan agreed with her coach as she said the team played hard and kept fighting throughout the whole game.

The damage to the field due to yesterday’s inclement weather has moved Sunday’s men and women games to Skyline College. The women's team will play Cal State San Bernardino at 1:30 p.m. After Sunday’s game, the Gators will go on a four-game road trip throughout California and then come back Oct. 28 to play Cal State East Bay.

“I’m glad that we got the win,” Brusnahan said. “We play [Sunday’s] game on a mental high. This was a good steeping stone.”