Box Score

DAVIS, Calif. - Four graduating UC Davis players were honored before Sunday's Big West regular season finale at Aggie Soccer Field, another two Aggies were stopped inches short from finding the back of the net and UC Irvine scored all of its goals throughout the final 45 minutes of action to down UC Davis by a 3-0 score.

"I told the seniors (after the match) that their legacy is not defined one way or another by today's result, it is shaped by who they on days like today. Their character, and who they are as people, are second to none," said UC Davis head coach Twila Kaufman.

"What makes this group of seniors unique is that they realize this. They understand that they took part in the beginning of something special."

Before action began, the women's soccer program honored its four-member senior class in a pregame ceremony. Among those recognized were Charlotte Ellberg and Lauren Paul - student-athletes who are juniors from an athletic eligibility standpoint, even though both are seniors academically - seniors Taylor Jern and Lexi Poppoff.

Even though both teams entered halftime scoreless, Ana Marija Sola nearly scored the first goal of the day on a free kick just outside the midfield circle on the Anteaters' half of the pitch.

With the wind at her back, Sola launched a shot towards UCI's goal. With everyone jockeying for position unable to deflect Sola's kick in any direction, the ball took a strong bounce a few yards in front of goal before smacking the crossbar. After bouncing back into the field of play, Irvine's defenders were able to kick the ball to safety.

On UC Davis' second-half corner kick, Mandy McKeegan launched a beautiful cross that curled slightly towards the Anteaters' net. Lifted high enough by McKeegan to allow an attempt on goal, Rachel Smith's header was caught from close range to keep the Aggies off the scoreboard.

Mari Pastor led all Aggies with three shots and two shots on goal.

UC Irvine first struck in the 49th minute when Laura McGrail chipped a perfectly placed shot - anything otherwise would have been turned away by Jern - into the Aggies' net. McGrail's teammates scored again in the 65th and 88th minutes to extend that initial one-goal lead into the day's final result.

Even though a number of UC Davis' top scorers were unable to play due to injury, those that took the field were intent on providing the perfect ending to their teammates' careers.

"We wanted to give them the result they deserved, unfortunately, that did not happen," added Kaufman.

By collecting another four saves Sunday afternoon, Jern ends her four-year career with 242 and is now ranked No. 2 all-time in the program's history.

With Sunday's result, UC Davis ends the 2014 season with a 5-11-3 overall and 2-4-2 Big West record.