Box Score Oct. 22, 2014 Box Score
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. -- Senior
Matt Sheldon's third goal of the year off a pass from freshman teammate
Noah Wilson in the 64th minute was all visiting UC Davis needed Wednesday night, lifting the Aggies to a 1-0 victory over host Cal Poly in front of 1,448 fans at Spanos Stadium in San Luis Obispo.
The win snapped a tie atop the Big West Conference's North Division as UC Davis improved to 6-1-8 overall, and moved into sole possession of first place in the division with a 4-1-1 mark and 13 points. The Aggies are unbeaten in their last three matches (2-0-1) overall following their first -- and only -- loss of the season.
Now winless in their last three meetings against UC Davis, the Mustangs fell to 8-4-3 overall and 3-2-1 in conference play with the loss, slipping into a tie for second place with UC Santa Barbara with 10 points following the Gauchos' 4-1 win over Sacramento State on Wednesday.
Holding an 18-12 shot advantage for the match, it wasn't until the 63:26 mark that either team found the back of the net, as Sheldon came through with his first game-winning goal of the season. Wilson played the ball across from the right side of the penalty area to Sheldon, who tucked his shot inside the left post out of the reach of goalkeeper Wade Hamilton for the lone score of the match.
Sophomore goalkeeper Armando Quezada posted his second consecutive shutout, making a pair of saves as the defense held Cal Poly to a season-low two shots on goal for the match. The Aggies' defense has not allowed a goal in its last 361:57 dating back to the 35th minute of their match against No. 11 UC Irvine on Oct. 9.
A flurry of action by UC Davis late in the first half was stymied by the Mustangs as the Aggies' offense pressured the Mustangs' defense to the tune of five shots -- resulting in a pair of saves by Hamilton -- and three of their seven corner kicks in a span of a minute and a half.
UC Davis also opened the second half strong, taking six of the first seven shots in the period until Sheldon's goal gave the Aggies the lead for good. Looking for the equalizer, Cal Poly's best chance to draw even came in the 67th minute as Kaba Alkebulan just headed a ball over the crossbar before Ramiro Molina-Valerio had an attempt turned away by Quezada at the 73-minute mark and another blocked by the defense two minutes later as UC Davis buckled down to shutout the Mustangs.
Junior Ryan Gross finished with five shots to lead all players, while Joseph Bolous finished with three to lead Cal Poly.
The Aggies return to Northern California and make the short jaunt across the Causeway on Saturday night (Oct. 25), taking on the rival Hornets at 7 p.m. in a match to be played at Bonney Field -- home of the USL Pro champion Sacramento Republic FC.
