Box Score

DAVIS, Calif. -- UC Davis scored a season-high three goals, including the game-winner by freshman Kyle Higgins in the 58th minute on Thursday afternoon, and junior Ryan Gross tallied a pair of assists, lifting the host Aggies to a 3-1 regulation victory over Cal State Fullerton, kicking off Big West Conference play at the Aggie Soccer Field.

The win snapped a string of four consecutive draws and a stretch of seven consecutive double-overtime matches for UC Davis, which remained unbeaten on the year at 3-0-7 overall and 1-0 in league play. It was the first victory for the Aggies since a 2-1 double-overtime triumph at Bakersfield on Sept. 13, only the second regulation contest of the year, and the first win in Davis after opening the home schedule with five draws.

The Titans fell to 4-4-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play, watching as their four-match winning streak came to an end.

UC Davis was out-shot by an 11-9 count, but put six of its nine attempts on goal for the day, scoring the most goals since a 3-1 win in the first round of the Big West Tournament against UC Riverside last season. The Aggies' offense raced out to a quick 5-2 shot advantage in the first half, but it was junior Lucas Mohageg that put UC Davis ahead in the 16th minute.

Gross launched a throw from the right sideline that found its way through traffic to Mohageg, who craned his leg behind him to flick it on to the far post where it deflected off the Fullerton goalkeeper, off the left post, and in for the 1-0 lead. It was his team-leading third goal and it gave the Aggies their first halftime lead this season.

It didn't take long for UC Davis to extend its lead, and it didn't take long for Higgins to find the back of the net for the first time in his young career. Just 40 seconds after entering the match, Higgins controlled the ball at the top of the box, spun his defender, and one-timed a looping shot back to the right post from 30 yards out for the 2-0 lead.

Fullerton got a goal back in the 65th minute to close the gap as Ian Ramos netted his second of the year for the Titans by converting on a penalty kick after the Aggies were whistled for a handball in the box, burying a shot to the right side to make it 2-1.

Cal State Fullerton continued to ratchet up the pressure, out-shooting UC Davis by a 9-4 count in the second period -- five of those coming after Ramos' goal -- but it was UC Davis that put the game away with mere seconds remaining in regulation as Justin Kitts found his way behind the defense off a long ball by Gross that was headed on by Dashiell MacNamara. Kitts beat his defender to the ball and then beat the Titans' keeper to the left side for the final 3-1 count.

Gross and Matt Sheldon led the Aggies with a pair of shots while Robert Coronado led all players with three shots for Fullerton. Sophomore goalkeeper Armando Quezada finished with three saves to earn his first win of the year for UC Davis.

The Aggies close out their Big West opening weekend on Saturday (Oct. 4) at 3 p.m., hosting UC Riverside at the Aggie Soccer Field.