Teams: UC Davis (8-5-4, 6-2) vs. Sacramento State (7-5-2, 4-1-1)
Where: Aggie Soccer Field — Davis, CA
When: Sunday at 3 p.m.
Who to watch: Sophomore forward Matt Sheldon ought to be on fire this Sunday after a magnificent performance against UC Santa Barbara this past weekend.
Sheldon tied the score against the Gauchos with three seconds left in the first half and sealed the victory for the Aggies midway through the first overtime.
Thanks to Sheldon’s outstanding plays, the Aggies were able to extend their winning streak to three and solidify their top spot in the Big West Conference.
Recognized for his efforts, Sheldon picked up his second career Big West Conference Offensive Player of the Week title. The aforementioned goals against UCSB were his first of the season and could not have occurred at a more opportune time for the team. It was UC Davis’ first win at Harder Stadium since 2008 and marked the first time in program history the Aggies swept the Gauchos in regular season play.
Did you know? Just a little over a week ago, UC Davis shut out Sacramento State on the turf of the Hornets with a 3-1 victory. The Aggies scored three goals in a 10-minute span in the second half to rally back and capture one of their most memorable goals of the season.
Sophomore defender Brian Ford, senior forward John Joslin and freshman forward Eric Budniewski all scored goals to power UC Davis into the first spot in the Big West. The Aggies outshot the Hornets 16-0 in the second half and defended the goal to dethrone the Hornets from their position in first place.
Preview: The UC Davis men’s soccer team will end their incredible season with a final matchup against Sacramento State. The No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in the Big West Conference Championships will go head-to-head this upcoming Saturday at Aggie Soccer Field. The Aggies will look to clinch the top spot in the Big West Conference and enter the Big West Semifinals on a strong note.
Most recently, the Aggies claimed a 2-1 overtime victory over UCSB on the road. Matt Sheldon scored two spectacular goals to keep the team’s winning streak alive. With that win, the Aggies now maintain a total of 18 points in the North Division and have separated themselves from the rest of the field.
The Hornets are close behind in second place with 16 points. This past weekend, Sacramento State defeated Cal Poly 3-2, putting them ahead of the Mustangs in conference standings. Coming off a one-game winning streak and determined to avenge last game’s heartbreak, the Hornets ought to be mentally and physically equipped for this Saturday.
Equally excited and anxious for the challenge, the Aggies will put all that they have learned and practiced this season in order to end this season the right way.
—Veena Bansal
