Box Score UC Davis opened their first road trip of 2019 in fine form on Thursday, downing Ball State on host Michigan State's field 2-1 to move to 2-0 on the season.
Though the Cardinals got on the board first at the 4:37 mark of the first quarter, the Aggies wasted no time getting even.
Just 35 seconds into the second quarter, senior
Lauren Gengarella evened the score at one apiece and later in the quarter, redshirt junior
Sara Janetzky put the Aggies ahead for good with a goal off a corner by
Izzy Porco with 3:01 until the half. Gengarella and Janetzky's second quarter goals marked the first of the 2019 season for both players.
A strong UC Davis defense that held Quinnipiac scoreless in the season opener showed up again on Thursday in protecting another one goal lead to hold Ball State scoreless in the second half with senior goalkeeper
Chelsea Bigelow making two of her four saves in the fourth quarter.
Thursday's win moves UC Davis to 2-0 on the season, equaling last season's start as the best under Head Coach
Britt Broady. With the win, the Aggies also moved to 3-1 all-time against Ball State and have won the last two meetings after coming out on top 5-4 in Muncie, Indiana last season.
UP NEXT
UC Davis continues their first road trip of the season on Friday against Michigan State in their second of three games in East Lansing.
The Spartans come into the matchup 2-0 after defeating St. Francis (0-2) 7-0 and Kent State (1-2) 1-0. The teams are tied 1-1 all-time with UC Davis winning 2-1 in East Lansing in 2015 and the Spartans winning by the same score in the 2017 season opener - Broady's first as head coach of the Aggies.
The Aggies will be looking to match the best start to a season in program history with a win on Friday. UC Davis started the 2012 season 3-0 en route to an 8-12 finish, which is tied with the 2015 season for the best record in program history.
Check back to the UC Davis Field Hockey Twitter (@UCDFieldHockey) for information on live streaming and live stats as those links become available.
Game time is currently scheduled for 3 p.m. PST/ 6 p.m. EST.
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. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, 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.
MARYA WELCH INITIATIVE
Named after the former physical education instructor, coach and Dean of Women who founded women's sports on the campus 25 years before the passage of Title IX, the Marya Welch Initiative for Women's Athletics provides comprehensive support for UC Davis' 16 women's athletics programs. Through the support of the Marya Welch Initiative and its group members, student-athletes are provided the best possible opportunity to succeed inside the classroom, and in competition, through special project gifts and by increasing visibility and participation at women's events throughout the year. All gifts to the Marya Welch Initiative are matched 1:1, doubling the impact on our women's programs. Visit https://give.ucdavis.edu/ATHG/324041 for more information.
