LAS VEGAS — Sophomore
Leslie Fregoso's first goal of the season in the 57th minute was all the UC Davis women's soccer team needed to tally its first win of the 2021 campaign as the Aggies' defense limited New Mexico to just three shots on frame en route to a 1-0 triumph on Thursday evening in the opening match of the Las Vegas Invitational hosted by UNLV at Johann Memorial Field.
UC Davis won its season opener for the second straight year in improving to 1-0 on the year, collecting 14 shots on the evening, but putting eight of those attempts on frame to just the three for the Lobos (0-1).
After playing to a scoreless draw through the first 45 minutes, Fregoso's strike just 12 minutes into the second half beat the UNM keeper for the 1-0 advantage. It was the fifth career goal for the communication major from Live Oak, Calif., who garnered preseason All-Big West honors from the league's head coaches prior to the start of the season.
From there on out, the Aggies' defense did the job, clamping down to finish off the clean sheet. Senior goalkeeper
Nicki Rucki finished with three saves in net to collect her third shutout as an Aggie, while Fregoso's three shots shared team-high honors with teammate
Molly Branigan, both putting a pair of their attempts on frame.
UC Davis closes out the tournament on Saturday (Aug. 21) at 4:30 p.m., taking on host UNLV.
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Centrally located between San Francisco and Lake Tahoe, over 700 student-athletes across 25 teams enjoy an unrivaled undergraduate experience at the fifth-ranked public school in the country.
Ranked annually in the nation's top 10 in diversity and students' social mobility, UC Davis and its innovative Aggie EVO System helps student-athletes develop passions, connect with a comprehensive network of alums and industry leaders, gain real-world experience and thrive as a young professional following a successful launch to full-time employment or graduate school.
