Oct. 27, 2007

Final Stats

DAVIS, Calif. - Senior Nicholas Lind scored his second goal of the season in the 62nd minute and provided the assist on Ian Conklin's eventual game-winning goal in the 72nd minute to lead UC Davis to a 2-1 victory over UC Irvine in a Big West men's soccer game at Aggie Soccer Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The win was the Aggies' first over the Anteaters since the 2005 season and improves their record in conference to 3-3-1 and 8-4-2 overall. UC Irvine drops to 6-4-4 overall and 1-3-2 in conference play.

"I'm extremely excited and happy that we were able to pick another win and get back in the conference race," said head coach Dwayne Shaffer. "It's also great to get a win over a quality team like UC Irvine. We're right where we want to be."

Lind, who had a game-high three shots on goal, scored the first goal of the game in the 62 minute as he headed in a corner kick from Dylan Curtis to give UC Davis a 1-0 lead. He added the assist 15 minutes later on Conklin's second goal of the season. In what proved to be the game winner, Conklin outran the Anteater defenders and converted a one on one opportunity with the goalkeeper.

The two teams battled to a scoreless first half despite combing for 10 shots. The Aggies managed five shots on goal in that half, but were turned back five times by UC Irvine goalkeeper Pat Barton. UC Davis continued his offensive ways in the second half as they outshot the Anteaters, 10-6. Lind had two shots on goal before scoring and junior Ahmad Hatifie had one of his shots bounce off the cross bar.

Michael Willrich had the lone goal for UC Irvine as he converted a pass from Kevin Santora in the 79th minute to cut the lead in half. He was one of four Anteaters to take two shots in the game.

Freshman goalkeeper Ryan McCowan preserved the victory for the Aggies in the final seconds of the contest as his only save of the game came with under 30 seconds remaining.

UC Davis outshot the UC Irvine, 17-9, and also managed to five more corner kicks, 7-3. The Anteaters were issued two yellow cards and were whistled for three more fouls, 11-8.

The Aggies return to action this weekend with road games against UC Riverside on Friday and Cal State Northridge on Sunday.