Nov. 3, 2010

Box Score

RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside scored in the fifth minute of action and the Highlander defense held off the UC Davis men's soccer team for a 1-0 win Wednesday night in a crucial Big West Conference matchup at UCR Soccer Stadium in Riverside, Calif.

With the loss, UC Davis concludes the 2010 season with a 6-12 overall record and a 4-6 mark in the Big West. UC Riverside improves to 6-10-1 overall and 3-6 in league play.

The combination of the Aggies' loss, Cal Poly's 1-0 win over Cal State Fullerton and three additional games Saturday make it virtually impossible for UC Davis to advance to the Big West Conference Tournament. Cal Poly now sits in third place with 14 points, moving Cal State Fullerton and UC Davis into a tie for fifth with 12 points.

If UC Riverside, who currently has nine points in the standings, were to defeat UC Santa Barbara Saturday, this would create a three-way tie between UC Davis, Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside. The Highlanders and the Titans, however, would oust UC Davis by virtue of each having one win over the Gauchos. UC Davis does not own a win against UC Santa Barbara this season.

If UC Riverside were to lose, UC Davis and Cal State Fullerton would remain tied in the standings, however the Titans would advance due to their head-to-head win over the Aggies Oct. 27.

The Highlanders goal came by way of Cesar Diaz at the 4:07 mark. UC Riverside goalkeeper Nick Goldreich launched a goal kick downfield that found its way into the UC Davis penalty box. Diaz tracked the ball down and beat UC Davis goalkeeper Omar Diaz for what would prove to be the gamewinning goal.

UC Davis outshot UC Riverside 13-8, including nine second half attempts, but was unable to find the back of the net. John Joslin led the UC Davis offense with four shots, two of which were on frame, while Elliott Hord had two shots.

Zeenni recorded three saves in goal.