Score: UC Davis 1, Cal Poly 1 (UC Davis advances 5-4 on penalty kicks)
Location: San Luis Obispo, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 10-5-5 (4-3-2), Cal Poly 7-5-7 (4-1-4)
The short story: UC Davis men's soccer came back from an early deficit to win a thrilling matchup against the No. 1 seed Cal Poly Mustangs in penalty kicks, advancing to the Big West Championship Final for the second consecutive season.
PITCH SIDE
- Mekhai Wilson earned UC Davis' man of the match honors after entering the game at the beginning of the second half, shutting out the Mustangs during his time on the field, and leading the Aggies to victory by saving a crucial penalty kick in the shootout
- Scoring for UC Davis in regulation was Zach Neuls, who has consistently performed well in big matchups all season, providing the much-needed equalizer in the second half
- Despite the game extending to penalty kicks, UC Davis was dominant throughout, doubling the Mustangs' shots with a 20-10 advantage, and controlling possession
- Two overtime periods showcased the battle, but neither team could break the deadlock, resulting in a penalty kick shootout after 110 minutes
- The Aggies would ultimately prevail in the shootout, winning 5-4
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Mustangs took a 1-0 lead, scoring the opening goal on a corner kick that bounced to the far post and was finished by Nico Baltazar
- UC Davis responded with shots on goal in the 37th and 44th minutes, with Zack Lillington's effort in the 44th minute narrowly missing, hitting the top of the crossbar
- Despite these chances, the Aggies trailed 1-0 at halftime
- UC Davis found the equalizer early in the second half, with Neuls heading in a perfectly placed corner kick from Lucas Fernandez-Kim
- With the score tied at 1-1, both teams had back-and-forth opportunities but could not find a game-winner through the remainder of the second half and both 10-minute overtime periods
- A crucial save by Wilson in the 95th minute allowed the game to go on, stopping Cal Poly's most promising attack of the golden goal overtime
- In the penalty shootout, Cason Goodman initiated the scoring for UC Davis, burying the first attempt, while Cal Poly's first shooter missed wide and high
- Cal Poly's goalkeeper saved the second attempt from UC Davis
- Both sides traded successful penalty kicks until Zack Lillington converted a pivotal shot, followed by Wilson saving Cal Poly's attempt at the bottom right corner to secure the win
UP NEXT: UC Davis will look to punch their ticket to the NCAA Tournament when the Aggies travel to UC Santa Barbara on Friday, November 15, to face the No. 2 seed Gauchos at 7 p.m. PT for the Big West Championship Final.
