Box Score Oct. 16, 2012
Final Stats
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The UC Davis men's soccer team claimed a 15-9 shot advantage, putting up 11 shots in the second half alone, but a 25th-minute goal by Cal Poly proved to be the difference maker as the Mustangs claimed a 1-0 victory on Tuesday at Alex G. Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo.
UC Davis saw its four-game winning streak snapped as the Aggies move to 6-5-4 overall and 4-2 in the Big West Conference. With the win, Cal Poly improves to 8-5-1 overall and 3-2-1 in league play.
UC Davis remains in second place in the Big West standings with 12 points after third-place UC Santa Barbara took a 2-0 win over first-place Sacramento State in other conference action.
In the 25th minute, George Malki fired a shot on UC Davis goalkeeper Omar Zeeni which Zeenni saved, but the Aggie junior spilled the ball, giving Nolan Moore a chance at a goal. Moore punched it into the back of the net to give Cal Poly the early lead.
UC Davis' offensive attack was relentless, however, forcing three first-half saves out of Mustang keeper Wade Hamilton. Towards the end of the half, John Joslin's 44th minute shot was denied by Connor Drechsler who made a sliding stop to prevent Joslin from scoring. Alex Henry's follow-up shot just 10 seconds later was then saved by Hamilton.
The second half was all UC Davis as well as the Aggies put up 11 attempts on the Mustangs. Lucas Mohageg's 57th minute attempt hit the crossbar while Hamilton stopped Alex Aguiar in the 66th minute and Eric Budniewski at the 77:46 mark.
UC Davis also won 10 corner kicks while awarding Cal Poly just two. In the 80th minute, Henry's corner kick found Brian Ford, but Ford's header went wide left.
In the final moments of the game, Aguiar's shot was blocked by the Mustang defense, then Chopan's attempt was wide left.
UC Davis will face Sacramento State on Saturday in a battle of the top two teams of the North Division. Sacramento State currently sits in first place with 13 points while UC Davis is in second with 12 points.
The Aggies and Hornets will kick off at 4 p.m. at Hornet Field in Sacramento.
