Box Score

DAVIS, Calif. - UC Davis dominated Fresno State in almost every facet of Sunday's game at Aggie Soccer Field, recorded twice as many shots as the Bulldogs (18-9), nearly three times as many shots on goal (11-4), two times as many corners (6-3) and forced their opponents to make 11 saves, including a few point-blank attempts that somehow did not find the back of the net. But a Fresno State counterattack, which took place in the 89th minute, ultimately led to the game-winning goal, and the Aggies dropped their non-conference match by a 1-0 score.

UC Davis will end a brief two-match homestand this Friday vs. Portland State, and enter that contest with a 2-3-1 record. Fresno State will depart Davis with a 2-3 record.

"We played a great 89 minutes, there are only a few tweaks that need to take place. There are a handful of people that, once they score a goal, will see the floodgates open," said head coach Twila Kaufman.

"If we scored one goal in today's match, we could have scored three or four."

Led by Nicole Carson and Celina Minissian, who each led their team with four shots, UC Davis controlled most of the action that took place in its first home game since its season opener, which took place more than two weeks ago. Even though the Aggies recorded one more shot than the Bulldogs throughout the opening half, FS goalkeeper Nicole Theroux rarely had a moment to relax since she was forced to record five saves.

Play remained in front of Fresno State's goal once action resumed after halftime; whether it was on back-to-back shots from Rachel Ahr and Roisin Allaeddini early in the half -- the latter coming from point-blank range -- or on any of the four shots on goal earned by Carson -- which matched her opponent's entire total -- the Bulldogs were forced to withstand a constant wave of Aggie attackers seeking the first goal of the day.

Even on a brilliant give-and-go that Ahr initiated midway through the second half, which led to an offsides call that negated a would-be goal, everyone at Aggie Soccer Stadium could feel that UC Davis was on the precipice of breaking through the Bulldogs' backline.

That is why the way Sunday's game ended took everyone by surprise, including Fresno State's fans.

What began with a UC Davis' corner continued with a string of shots by Ahr, Andi Damian and Mandy McKeegan; following their sixth, and final corner kick, another Aggie scoring opportunity turned into a last-ditch effort by the Bulldogs.

Shortly after it cleared the ball to midfield, Fresno State launched a counterattack of its own entering the final minutes of regulation. Less than 30 seconds after UC Davis nearly scored the deciding goal, it was the visitors who capitalized on a one-timer taken from the middle of the penalty area and recorded the game-winning strike.

A seven-match block of local action will continue on Friday when Portland State visits Aggie Soccer Field, kickoff is schedule for 4 p.m. Following that contest, the Aggies will end their weekend two days later at Cal.