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Mustangs Secure Emphatic 5-1 Victory Over Nevada on Senior Day – Cal Poly

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Mustangs Secure Emphatic 5-1 Victory Over Nevada on Senior Day – Cal Poly


SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Five second-half goals in the span of 33 minutes and a brace from sophomore Annika Smith powered the Cal Poly women’s soccer program to a commanding 5-1 victory over Nevada in its nonconference finale on Sunday at Mustang Memorial Field at Spanos Stadium.

Prior to the match, Cal Poly honored its 12-member senior class — Emma Brown, Kerry Wakasa, Annie Larson, Dani Wozniak, Kate Reedy, Emily Nedom, Maille Smith, Aynsley Conner, Peja Balanon, Whitney Wiley, McKenna Carbon and Mackenzie Samuel. The empathic win was a great way to honor a senior class that has helped the program reach unprecedented heights during their careers, Annika Smith said after the match.

“It felt really good,” she said about the victory which snapped a four-match losing streak. “It was Senior Day, so vibes were really good and really high.”

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After a scoreless first half, it was evident the Mustangs (2-6-2) were hungry to find the back of the net in the opening minutes of the second half, and a fortunate break in the 57th minute allowed them to do just that. A shot attempt by redshirt sophomore Sophia Minnite was blocked by the hand of a Wolf Pack defender in the box, allowing sophomore Sophia Moness to step to the spot and bury a penalty kick goal to the back of the net. It was her first goal of the season and the second of her career.

Moness’ goal seemed to open the floodgates for the Mustangs as just six minutes later the team struck again. Junior Emily Lieber sent a cross from the right side into the box and the ball went through the legs of graduate student Whitney Wiley before finding junior Brennan Cole, who blasted a shot with her right foot to the top left corner of the net for her first collegiate goal. For Lieber, it was her third assist of the season and the 10th of her career.

In the 74th minute, senior forward Kate Reedy made it 3-0 Cal Poly on an unassisted goal. It was the second goal of the season for the All-Big West Preseason Team selection and the 11th of her career.

However, less than two minutes after Reedy’s tally, Nevada (2-7) got on the board to make it 3-1 in favor of the Mustangs.

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With their first home victory of the season within sight, Annika Smith reentered the match in the 81st minute and looked determined to seal the victory for the Mustangs. In the 88th minute, Smith buried the first of back-to-back goals in the closing moments of the match taking a pass from freshman Kiki Vostermans in the midfield, driving toward the Nevada net and firing a shot past the keeper. For Vostermans, it was her fourth assist of the season, tied for the second most in the Big West.


Just 70 seconds after her first goal of the day, Smith struck again with 55 seconds remaining in the match on a perfectly executed cross by the Mustangs. Senior Emily Nedom sent a beautiful cross from outside the left side of the box and Smith rose up and headed the ball to the back of the net to put Cal Poly ahead 5-1. The brace gave Smith her third multi-goal match of her career and her second this season, and she credited her teammates for helping her accomplish the feat.

“I think I was placed the best balls honestly … my teammates set me up for success, so I kind of owe it all to them,” she said.

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Smith now has five goals on the year and nine in her career. Nedom earned her second career assist on Smith’s second goal, while Wozniak was also credited with an assist on the tally, the first of her career.

Sunday marked the first time Cal Poly scored five goals in a match since defeating San Jose State 5-0 on Sept. 12, 2021, in San Luis Obispo. The five goals equaled the amount the Mustangs scored in their previous four matches combined.

Senior Kerry Wakasa made her first career appearance and start Sunday, while senior Maille Smith earned her first career start.

Cal Poly outshot the Wolf Pack 26-12 in Sunday’s match, firing 12 on frame.

The Mustangs head to UC Riverside at 7:30 p.m. Thursday for their first Big West road match of the season.

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UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

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UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires


After decades of cheatgrass-fueled wildfires across Nevada, researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno are testing whether cattle can help restore damaged rangelands by spreading native seeds as they graze.

Cheatgrass, an invasive plant common across the Great Basin, dries out early and can fuel larger wildfires, making it harder for native vegetation to return. UNR postdoctoral scholar William Richardson said the plant helps create a self-reinforcing cycle.

“Cheatgrass grows, it creates more wildfires, that allows more cheatgrass to grow, and it becomes a bigger and bigger issue. That’s why we’re seeing all these mega fires spreading across the Great Basin,” Richardson said.

The challenge continues after flames are out. In Nevada’s arid climate, native plants can struggle to reestablish, while cheatgrass often returns quickly.

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UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

“We struggle with getting five to eight inches of rain a year. Trying to restore a native community in those very arid conditions are extremely difficult,” Richardson said.

Ewe won’t believe it: Sheep munch away at Reno’s wildfire worries in Arrowcreek area

Ranchers already use targeted grazing to reduce cheatgrass. Now, UNR researchers are studying whether cattle can also help reseed the landscape. The approach mixes native grass seeds into protein supplements cattle already eat. Researchers then track whether the seeds can survive digestion and be spread naturally across the range after being deposited in manure.

“We’re already using cattle to combat cheatgrass through targeted grazing, and the ultimate goal is to bring native species back across the landscape, so why don’t we combine those two ideas?” Richardson said.

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In lab testing, researchers evaluated special seed coatings designed to help some seeds survive a cow’s digestive system. The results showed certain species could make it through the process and still germinate after being deposited in manure, Richardson said, though some seeds need more protection than others.

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

“Some species naturally have a very thin seed coat and require more protection, while others can go through the gut of a cow easy peasy lemon squeezy,” he said.

The project is expected to move into field testing this fall at Horseshoe Ranch near Eureka, where researchers will track whether seeds can not only survive digestion but also establish new plants on the landscape.

“It’s a passive way to restore the landscape. Instead of having to go in with a tractor or seed from an airplane, you can use cows that are already there,” Richardson said.

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UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

UNR tests whether cow manure can help restore Nevada landscapes after wildfires

Researchers said the method is not intended to replace traditional restoration work, but to add another tool for land managers and ranchers. If the field trials are successful, they said the approach could eventually help restore thousands — or even hundreds of thousands — of acres across the Great Basin.



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As temperatures rise, HELP of Southern Nevada continues homeless outreach efforts

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As temperatures rise, HELP of Southern Nevada continues homeless outreach efforts












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HELP of Southern Nevada continues homeless outreach efforts | Local Las Vegas | Local























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