Score: UC Davis 2, Sacramento State 1
Location: Aggie Soccer Field (Davis, Calif.)
Records: UC Davis 4-8-5, 4-3-2 | Sacramento State 2-12-4, 1-6-2
THE SHORT STORY: UC Davis closed the regular season with a 2-1 victory over rival Sacramento State on Saturday night at Aggie Soccer Field. The Aggies struck twice in the second half behind goals from
Cason Goodman and
Zack Lillington, securing a berth in the Big West Championships as the No. 5 seed. Despite a late Hornet equalizer, UC Davis delivered a thrilling finish behind the effort of Lillington, who netted home the game-winner in the 89th minute.
PITCH SIDE
- Goodman opened the scoring with his fifth goal of the season in the 53rd minute off an assist from Andrew Dutra
- Lillington delivered the game-winner in the 89th minute, his third goal of the season
- Goalkeeper Noah Schwengeler tallied three saves, including two key stops in the second half to anchor the Aggie back line
- Dutra, along with his assist, added two shots, including one on goal, in 63 minutes of action
- UC Davis out-shot Sacramento State 17-13 and held a 9-4 advantage in shots on target
- Needing a result, the Aggies capped their regular season by clinching a postseason berth in the Big West Championships
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UC Davis set the tone early, with Dutra forcing a save from Hornet goalkeeper Andres Rosales in the third minute
- It would be the first of seven shot attempts within the first 22 minutes of the match for the Aggies
- Lillington followed with a pair of attempts, while Goodman produced two shots in quick succession at the 33rd minute, both turned away to keep the match level at the half
- Goodman broke through in the 53rd minute, finishing a setup from Dutra to give UC Davis a 1-0 lead
- Sacramento State leveled in the 80th minute on a goal by Allbranly Gue, assisted by Leonardo Martinez, but the Aggies answered late when Lillington buried the game-winner in the 89th minute
UP NEXT
With the win, UC Davis clinched the No. 5 seed in the Big West Championships and will travel to Cal State Fullerton for a first-round matchup on Wednesday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m. PT.
