BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – A goal in each half and a stellar defensive performance to preserve a clean sheet allowed UC Davis to grab all three points in a crucial Big West Conference clash at Cal State Bakersfield that finished 2-0 to the Aggies.
The contest was fairly even as the two sides finished level in the shots column with 14 apiece, however, UC Davis proved to be clinical with its chances, netting an early goal before putting the game to bed with a goal just after the halftime break.
UC Davis improves to 6-6-3 (3-3-1 Big West) and eclipses last year's win total of five. With 10 points, the Aggies now sit in a five-way tie for second-place in the conference standings, giving themselves an opportunity to further climb the table with six points still available from the last two matches.
Aggies' top goal-scorer,
Cason Goodman, found the back of the net for the sixth time this season and now sits in fourth-place on the conference's scoring list.
Chase Tanon was the other Aggie to etch his name on the scoresheet, coming on as a super sub to finish things off with his second half goal.
Ryan Dieter was lively in the final third and tallied two assists on the night, making it six on the season for the senior from Santa Rosa.
The hosts were bright to start the contest and nearly broke the deadlock when Jesse Wangusi had a chance to score from eight yards out, but saw his shot rise up and over the crossbar, and the Aggies would breathe a sigh of relief.
Head Coach
Dwayne Shaffer picked an attacking setup from the start, selecting two strikers to play up top in the attempt to spark the UC Davis attack. The adjustment worked brilliantly as the Aggies were able to hit Cal State Bakersfield for the first goal in the 13
th minute.
It was a stunning goal for UC Davis' opener as C. Goodman started the attacking move by driving down the left wing before picking out Dieter at the edge of the penalty area. Dieter chipped a pass to
Zack Lillington who delicately chested the ball into the path of C. Goodman making a run into the box, and the striker took the chance with conviction, blasting his volley into the back of the net for his sixth goal of the campaign, making it 1-0 to the visitors.
In the early minutes of the second half, the Aggies doubled their lead following a well-worked set piece.
Lucas Fernandez-Kim took the free kick from well outside the penalty area and delivered it into a dangerous area, drawing a clearance to the edge of the box by a Roadrunner defender. It was Dieter creating another huge scoring chance, rising to win the header and knocking it down to the feet of Tanon, who took a great first touch that set him up on his favored right foot before smashing his shot into the back of the net.
Charles Janssen highlighted his five-save night with an excellent stop, getting a strong hand to a thunderous attempt from outside the box by Cal State Bakersfield's Luka Geishauser.
The Aggies' had held strong for nearly 70 minutes until the Roadrunners were awarded a penalty kick, giving the hosts a chance to cut the lead in half. Fortunately for UC Davis, Connor Mautino's spot kick hit the post and his subsequent chance was chopped off for offside.
Another terrific performance from UC Davis' backline of
Luke Goodman,
Ethan Hoard,
Sean Bilter, and
Cole Pond played helped preserve the clean sheet, as the quartet played all 90 minutes. Also playing the full 90 minutes was
Jason Hsu who stepped into a defensive midfield role and was fantastic in that position.
Goals
14' – UC Davis (C. Goodman)
53' – UC Davis (Tanon)
Up Next
The Ags will play their final road match of the season on Oct. 21 when they head to La Jolla, Calif. To take on UC San Diego. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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