Box Score

DAVIS Calif. - In Friday's non-conference match against San Francisco at Aggie Soccer Field, UC Davis took more shots, recorded twice as many shots on goal and created numerous scoring opportunities compared to its opponent, yet dropped its first home match of the season by a 1-0 margin when the Dons scored in the 34th minute.

"I am really proud of this team, this is the best that we have played across all three lines this season," said UC Davis head coach Twila Kaufman.

UC Davis will enter Sunday's home match against Utah with a 3-4 record; San Francisco improves to 4-2-1 with its result.

Of USF's five shots, only one was earned during the first half. On an kick that doubled as the team's only shot on goal, that attempt also landed in the back of the Aggies' net.

Scored off a free kick taken five yards outside the right-hand corner of the Aggies' penalty area, that shot capped a frustrating two-minute timespan for the 324 boisterous fans in attendance - a crowd primarily comprised of UC Davis supporters.

What looked like a clean steal by an Aggie defender on a 50/50 ball was whistled for a foul. Instead of darting its way down the field on an odd-man counterattack, UC Davis was forced to defend USF's only serious scoring opportunity of the day.

"Give her credit, she capitalized on that set piece," Kaufman said.

As was the case with their opponent, the Aggies also took one shot in the first half, a scoring opportunity that ended in the arms of the Dons' goalkeeper.

On a 1-v-1 counterattack, UC Davis forward Kayla Collins dribbled the ball down the near sideline before reversing direction on a moment's notice right in front of her team's bench. That quick pivot opened a shooting lane for Collins, who shook her defender in the process to record her only shot of the day on that play.

Armed with a 1-0 lead at the break, the Dons chose to protect its advantage and pack its third of the pitch with as many players as possible on any Aggie scoring opportunity.

Even though USF chose to play a shell defense throughout the second half, UC Davis was still able to knife its way through the Dons' third throughout the final 45 minutes of action and recorded six shots.

Mari Pastor nearly recorded the equalizer in the 64th minute on a UC Davis breakaway scoring opportunity. Racing down the field to join the play, Pastor received the pass in-stride and nearly beat USF's goalkeeper near post with her redirect.

"I think things are just starting to come together for us. I thought our backline and midfield were solid and, frankly, thought we played well enough not to lose. To win the game, we needed to capitalize on some of our [scoring] opportunities.

"If we played 10 games like we did today, this team will earn a win in nine of them. In this sport, occasionally you are not going to win a match due to unfortunate circumstances," Kaufman added.

UC Davis will return to Aggie Soccer Field Sunday afternoon for a 1 p.m. match against Utah.