Who: UC Davis vs. UC Riverside; Cal State Fullerton
Records: Aggies (5-4-2, 0-2-0); Highlanders (5-7-1, 0-2-0); Titans (6-6-1, 1-1-0)
Where: Aggie Soccer Stadium
When: Today at 3 p.m.; Sunday at noon
Who to watch: Sophomore goaltender Sarah Peters has held opponents to one or fewer goals in each of the past six games. The Aggies are 4-2 over that stretch.
Peters currently holds tight to fourth place in the Big West Conference for her average of 1.12 goals against. The Petaluma, Calif. native led the team with 1,059 minutes in goal as a freshman, posting a 1.19 GAA with three shutouts.
Did you know? UC Riverside leads the Big West with 14.62 fouls per contest and 13 yellow cards, setting the stage for a very physical match later today.
Preview: Between UC Riverside’s physicality and Cal State Fullerton’s scoring potency, UC Davis will have its hands full this weekend.
In the first of two Big West games, the Aggies will look to keep Highlanders forward Heidi Garrett away from the net, as she leads the conference with seven goals in 13 games played.
UC Davis sophomore Samantha Faber is currently tied with Garrett with 43 total shots – although Garrett has played two more games.
Opposite Peters in the net for the Highlanders is Brittany Goetz, who paces the league with 94 saves – an average of 7.23 a game. However, Goetz also has given up a conference-high 21 goals.
In contrast to what has potential to be a rough and tough contest on Friday, Sunday’s game against Cal State Fullerton should feature a bit more elegance.
The Titans average 1.45 assists per game this year, and have collected eight helpers in their past four contests.
Forward Geminesse Martinez leads her club with four assists in 13 games this season, while defender Jenae Gibbens and midfielder Christina Murillo are just behind Martinez with three assists a piece.
Gibbens has been hot of late, as the senior recorded all three assists in her last three games.
– Matt Miller
