Teams: UC Davis at Pacific, vs. Cal Poly
Records: Aggies 6-7-1 (1-3), Tigers 6-6-3 (3-2), Mustangs 6-8-1 (1-3-1)
Where: Amos Alonzo Stagg Memorial Stadium – Stockton, Calif.; Aggie Soccer Field
When: Thursday at 7 p.m., Sunday at 1 p.m.
Who to watch: If UC Davis can manage to get some conference wins, they have a shot to earn one of four Big West Conference playoff spots.
Goalkeeper Kathleen Brandl can play a huge role in the Aggies’ quest for conference wins.
The native of Redwood City, Calif. has only surrendered 11 goals in 14 games while earning 37 saves.
Did you know? Though they are nearing the end of their schedule, Thursday’s game against Pacific will be just the second night game for the Aggies. In their last matchup under the lights, UC Davis lost 2-1 to Cal State Northridge.
Preview: It felt so good to put together an entire game against a conference team.
That’s what coach Maryclaire Robinson said after the Aggies’ 2-1 win against UC Santa Barbara.
“We scored goals [in previous games],” Robinson said, “but it was just a matter of putting the two together. That felt really good.”
The conference win had eluded the Aggies in their previous three tries. Now, however, it seems that the win felt so good, the Aggies want another. They understand that it’s going to take another couple of wins to fight their way back to being competitive in the Big West Conference.
“Any conference game is a big game,” said Robinson. “We’re looking to claw ourselves back.”
Standing in UC Davis’ way is Pacific and Cal Poly. The Tigers are riding a three-game win streak and are looking to earn one of the top four spots in the Big West. With their next three games at home, Pacific is in a prime spot to make a run for playoffs.
“[Pacific] is trying to put one away,” said Robinson. “[Our game] is going to get heated.”
The Mustangs, however, are a team in desperate need of a win. They have lost their last three games, and even had a game against Seattle University get cancelled due to a lightning storm.
If the Aggies’ want to top the surging Tigers and struggling Mustangs, they’ll need to do it without their top scorer Allison Kelly.
Still, the Aggies control their own fate.
“It’s still day to day [with Kelly],” said Robinson. “We’re going to put in whoever we can to put in 90 minutes.”
– Matt Wang
