Davis, Calif. — The UC Davis Women's Soccer team showed their offensive prowess and resilience as they defeated the University of Hawaii 3-2 Sunday evening at Aggie Soccer Field. The Aggies scored two goals in the first half and held off a second-half comeback by the Rainbow Wahine to secure their sixth win of the season.
The Aggies pounced on the Rainbow Wahine early, as Sam Tristan scored her fifth goal of the year in the 23rd minute, with the help of some brilliance created by Risa Yamada.
UC Davis wasted no time extending their lead as 42 seconds later,
Leslie Fregoso doubled the advantage with her sixth goal of the season, after a brilliant combination play that started with a
Sarah Canavan shot and rebound to Tristan. The leading goal scorer for the Aggies continues to use her work rate and technical finishing to add to her already decorated career.
The Aggies continued to dominate the first half, creating more chances and keeping the Hawaii defense busy. Recording 10 shots in the first 45 minutes, the Aggies' aggressiveness was apparent as Yamada seemed to be the engine and driving force behind the new-look Aggie formation. To highlight the offensive mindset that the Aggies played with today, UC Davis was across the midfield line for over 70% of their possessions and in the attacking quarter of the field for 31% of their possessions.
With their backs against the wall, the Rainbow Wahine, came out stronger and quickly adjusted to the pace of play in the second half, looking for a way back into the game. They got their reward in the 51st minute, when Brynn Mitchell scored her fourth goal of the year with a powerful shot from outside the box. However, the Aggies responded quickly, restoring their two-goal cushion in the 52nd minute, as Yamada scored her third goal of the season with a low drive from inside the area, assisted by Fregoso.
The drama was not over yet, as Hawaii earned a penalty kick in the 54th minute, after a foul in the box. Mia Foster stepped up and converted the spot-kick for her third goal of the year, making it 3-2. The Rainbow Wahine pressed for an equalizer, but the Aggies defended well and kept their composure until the final whistle.
The Aggies improved their record to 6-5-2 overall and 2-1-2 in conference, while the Rainbow Wahine dropped to 4-5-3. Earning all three points today, the Aggies now find themselves in fourth place among the Big West standings with a chance to continue climbing up as the Aggies are set to take on first-place Cal State Fullerton next Sunday.
UP NEXT
Before the Aggies clash with the Titans down in Fullerton, UC Davis will face fellow University of California member, UC Riverside on Thursday, October 12 at 7:00 p.m. PT as the Highlanders host the Aggies for the first game of their two-game road trip to Southern California.
