BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Freshman
Emma Vane and sophomore
Leslie Fregoso each scored goals 10 minutes apart in the first half and the defense did the rest, limiting host CSU Bakersfield to just six shot attempts on the night, as UC Davis cruised to a 2-0 Big West Conference opening victory on Thursday.
The Aggies improved to 6-3 overall on the year and won their fourth consecutive contest, outscoring opponents by a 9-1 count during that stretch with three shutouts. The four straight victories marks the program's longest winning streak since UC Davis won five straight from Aug. 24-Sept. 6, 2015, while the four clean sheets this season are the most since the Aggies had six in 2018.
Vane broke the seal in the 28th minute off a pass by
Emma Hasco for the 1-0 lead, as the freshman collected her third goal of the year — a total that briefly led the team until Fregoso dented the net in the 38th minute off an assist from
Risa Yamada for the 2-0 advantage.
The assist was Yamada's team-high fourth helper of the year, while Fregoso extended her team lead with nine points on the season.
UC Davis held a 23-6 advantage in the shot column — including a 13-1 lead after the first 45 minutes — putting seven of those total attempts on frame to only three for the Roadrunners. The Aggies' 23 shot attempts are tied for the second-most in a single match this year, and the fourth time this season that they have put up at least 20.
Fregoso led the way individually with five shot attempts, putting two on frame, while Vane added four more attempts. Senior
Nicki Rucki and freshman
Clarissa Grajeda combined on the shutout, with the former forced to make only two saves over 78 minutes en route to the win.
UC Davis closes out its Big West opening weekend on Sunday (Sept. 26) at 1 p.m., traveling to Northridge, Calif., to take on CSUN.
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.
