OMAHA, Neb. — In his first season on the field with the Aggies, junior sociology major Adam Mickelson led his team in scoring with four goals and seven assists in 2017. On Friday night in Nebraska, the Montana native picked up right where he left off to kick-off the 2018 campaign, scoring the lone goal of the match in the 51st minute to help lift visiting UC Davis to a season-opening, 1-0, victory over host Omaha at Caniglia Field.

After going winless in their last five season openers (0-3-2), the Aggies started a regular season with a victory for the first time since a 1-0 triumph over UNLV in 2012, despite being out-shot by the host Mavericks (0-1) by a 12-4 count for the match.

Counting the two unofficial exhibition victories this season, UC Davis hasn't allowed a goal in its last 388 minutes dating back to the 82nd minute of last year's Big West Conference Tournament semifinal against CSUN, and has shutout its last two opponents after a scoreless draw in the league tournament championship match against Cal State Fullerton that was decided on penalties.

Following a scoreless first half that saw UC Davis held to only a single shot, Mickelson made the most of his team's only shot on goal for the match with some help from the Omaha side. A ball played to the top of the 18 was miscleared by the Mavericks and was intercepted by redshirt freshman neurobiology, physiology, and behavior major Robert Mejia just inside the top of the box.

Mejia, under pressure, split a pair of Omaha defenders with a short pass to Mickelson making a run down the left side and the junior poked a sliding right-footed shot off the gloves of the goalkeeper and into the right-side netting for the 1-0 lead. It was the first career point for Mejia in his official Aggie debut.

It was then the defense's turn to shine, withstanding a barrage of 12 shots, but only three of those on target as junior global disease biology major Wallis Lapsley finished with three saves — all in the first 27 minutes of the match — en route to his fifth career shutout and the Aggies blocked four shot attempts in the first half to keep the match scoreless after the first 45 minutes.

In the second half, UC Davis got some help from the woodwork as a potential game-tying attempt by Diego Gutierrez clanged off the post in the 72nd minute, preserving the one-goal advantage.

Mickelson, who had a goal waved off earlier in the match, finished with two of the team's four shot attempts, while junior managerial economics major Marte Formico and Mejia finished with a shot apiece.

The Aggies remain in Omaha and close out their road trip on Sunday (Aug. 26) at 5 p.m. PT against Creighton at Morrison Stadium. The Bluejays, receiving four votes in the preseason United Soccer Coaches poll, opened the season with a 2-0 upset of No. 11 Clemson on Friday night.

ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 6-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal, and among the top 10 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.

AGGIE EVO
Launched in 2017-18, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.