Score: UC Davis 0, San Diego 1
Location: San Diego, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 10-6-6 (4-3-2), San Diego 14-2-2 (7-1)
The short story: Despite outshooting the Toreros in both total attempts and shots on goal, the Big West Champion Aggies saw their remarkable season and seven-match unbeaten streak come to an end Thursday night. UC Davis fell 1-0 to the No. 20 ranked San Diego Toreros, who scored late in the first half to advance to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Championship.
PITCH SIDE
- UC Davis recorded 12 shots, with three on target
- Cason Goodman led the Aggies in near-scoring opportunities
- Off the bench, Rafael Matiello and Zachary Neuls added shots on goal
- Matiello, Goodman, and Zack Lillington each had three shots, pacing the Aggies
- Five Aggies played the full 90 minutes: Cole Pond, Carson Hammond, Keegan Walwyn-Bent, Lucas Fernandez-Kim, and Lillington
- UC Davis with the loss tonight, also bids farewell to seniors Hayden Carlson, Kevin Welch, Scott Buie, Cole Pond, and Keegan Walwyn-Bent, all of whom appeared in tonight's match
- Tonight's match was the only game in UC Davis' 2024 season without any cautions issued to either team
- Scoring for San Diego was Cesar Bahena in the 36th minute
HOW IT HAPPENED
- San Diego fans were vocal early, pleading for a penalty kick just two minutes into the contest
- The rowdy fans and early intensity signaled things to come, with the game characterized by physical play on both sides and referees allowing substantial contact throughout
- UC Davis' first shot on goal came in the 10th minute when Goodman's attempt was saved
- Another close attempt from the Santa Barbara native followed shortly after, but it was just wide of the goal
- Misfortune struck in the 36th minute when San Diego capitalized on a backline misplay with Bahena striking home a 40-yard right-footer into the upper left corner, beating Noah Schwengeler, who had come out
- This left UC Davis trailing 1-0 at halftime
- In the second half, the Aggies continued their attack, with Neuls getting a good shot off in the 63rd minute, but it was saved by Torero keeper Donvan Parisian, the WCC Goalkeeper of the Year
- The Toreros sought to extend their lead, hitting the post on shots in the 68th and 71st minutes
- Despite these attempts, the Aggies still trailed by only one goal, with time to equalize
- In the 78th minute, Matiello had space inside the box, but Parisian made a crucial save, his third and final of the night
- UC Davis' last shot came in the 89th minute, but it was not fruitful, and the Toreros held on for a closely contested win, advancing to the Round of 32
