Teams: UC Davis vs. UC Riverside; vs. Cal State Northridge
Records: Aggies, 3-8-0 (1-2-0); Highlanders, 3-7-1 (0-3-0); Matadors, 2-7-2 (1-1-1)
Where: Aggie Stadium
When: Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.; Saturday at 7 p.m.
Who to watch: Senior defender Nate Javadi has been a key part of the Aggies’ back line this season.
The Lake Forest, Calif. native has started all 11 of UC Davis’ games this season and leads the Aggie defenders with six shots.
Did you know? Goalkeeper Omar Zeenni was nominated for Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the Aggies’ last two games against UC Irvine and Cal State Northridge.
Zeenni held a clean sheet against Cal State Northridge in the Aggies’ first Big West win of the season.
Preview: UC Davis is riding the momentum from their first conference win as they enter a key three game home stand.
The Aggies will open the week against UC Riverside.
Despite the fact the Highlanders are currently in last place in the Big West, the Aggies expect a tough contest.
“We know that they will be well coached and very well organized,” said coach Dwayne Shaffer. “Every Big West team is a solid disciplined team. We think we’ll be in for a tough battle.”
In order to win the game the Aggies will need to do what they have set out to do all year – play solid defense.
That was the key to UC Davis’ success in their only Big West win of the year.
“We need to play as well as we did against Northridge,” Shaffer said. “Like I tell our team, if you don’t concede any goals you won’t lose the game.”
Following their contest against UC Riverside, the Aggies will be faced with a rematch against Cal State Northridge.
UC Davis will be expecting that night to be a special occasion, as the Aggies are attempting to break the record for attendance at a soccer match.
The current mark stands at 1,344 but coach Shaffer knows the UC Davis fans can surpass that number.
“We’ve seen the crowds they draw at Cal Poly and Santa Barbara,” he said. “We expect to see a big crowd in Aggie Stadium. I am personally inviting everyone to come out and see us.”
– Trevor Cramer
