FULLERTON, Calif. – UC Davis had more possession and considerably more scoring chances on Saturday night at Cal State Fullerton, but the hosts would take the points as they held on for the 1-0 victory.
The Aggies fired 18 shots on the night but were unable to be clinical with their chances, placing just four attempts on target over the 90 minutes. The league leaders broke the deadlock with a penalty kick in the first half, and managed to hold strong defensively to keep a clean sheet and grab the points.
Despite earning 12 corners to the Titans' three, UC Davis couldn't make the most of their set piece opportunities.
The Aggies pushed the pace in the early minutes, pressing aggressively to win the ball high up the pitch. The high-octane tactics were effective as UC Davis fired six shots in the opening 20 minutes while Cal State Fullerton struggled to get the ball out of its own half.
UC Davis nearly found an important opening goal in the 5
th minute when
Sean Bilter lofted a beautiful ball from his own half to a sprinting
Cason Goodman who was through on goal. The Aggies' striker took his chance well but was unlucky to see his effort clatter off the post.
However, against the run of play, the Titans were awarded a penalty in the 24
th minute following a foul in the box. Roberto Ordonez finished off the spot kick as the Big West's leading scorer gave his team an early advantage with Cal State Fullerton's lone shot of the half.
The hosts started to grow into the game in the second half but still embraced their counterattacking style. In the 69
th minute, the Aggies won a free kick from just outside the penalty area.
Ethan Hoard stepped up to take the set piece and rocketed a shot off the crossbar, nearly scoring the equalizer.
That would be the final chance, however, as the Titans would escape with the win and the three points to remain at the top of the table.
Goals
24' – Cal State Fullerton (Ordonez) - PEN
Up Next
The Ags will host the first of two matches inside UC Davis Health Stadium on Oct. 4 when UC Santa Barbara heads to Northern California. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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