Sports

The UC Davis men’s golf team is used to being the underdog.It’s used to chasing the country’s top teams from behind. After the Aggies‘ most recent tournament,those daysmay be over. In a field that featured five of the nation’s top25teams and10of the top50,UC Davisbeat them all on Tuesday,shooting an871to finish in second place behind unranked TCU (861) at the Prestige at the PGA West in La Quinta,Calif.

Ryan McCowan has experienced a lot for being onlya sophomore. From taking over the spot as starting goalkeeper midway through the2007season to becoming one of the premier goalies in the Big West Conference,McCowan has had a successful ride to the top. After blanking UC Santa Barbara2-0this past Saturday,Aggie Sports Writer Max Rosenblum sat down with McCowan to discuss his initial – as well as current – success,his decision to come to UC Davis and dinner with his defense.

Teams: No. 7 UC Davis vs. Cal State Fullerton Records: Aggies, 11-1-1 (3-0-1); Titans, 3-10-0 (0-0-3) Where: Aggie Soccer Stadium When: Today at 3 p.m.

Men’s soccer After defeating Cal State Fullerton and UC Santa Barbara last weekend,the UC Davis men’s soccer program saw a spike in its national exposure. Along with being named Big West Conference Player of the Week,senior forward Quincy Amarikwa was named College Soccer News National Player of the Week after scoring three goals in two games,including both of the Aggies‘ goals against the Gauchos in Saturday’s2-0win.

It was a weekend of firsts for the UC Davis women’s soccer team. After picking up their first tie in Big West Conference action against UC Riverside,the Aggies (6-4-3,1-2-1) notched their first goals and win in league play in a2-1victory over Cal State Fullerton.

What a difference a year makes. This time last season, the UC Daviswomen’s volleyball team was in the midst of a 19-match losing streak en route to a dismal 4-24 finish.

UC Davis head coach Bob Biggs could get used to this. No Hail Marys,no fourth quarter rallies,no suspense – for the first time this season,the Aggies cruised to victory,scoring five straight touchdowns at one point on Saturday in a49-26win over Southern Utah University in front of a10,849-person homecoming crowd.

Event:The Prestige at PGA West Hosts:No.12Stanford University,No.40UC Davis Where:Greg Norman Golf Course – La Quinta,Calif.

Streaks can’t last forever.Neither can conference dynasties. The No.13UC Davis men’s soccer team established itself as the team-to-beat in the Big West Conference on Saturday night,dominating two-time defending league champion No.15UC Santa Barbara2-0in front of over4,000fans at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara.The shutout ended the Gauchos‘ 31-game scoring streak.

The mood was just right. The stands were packed with water polo alumni and students.The Aggies had the taste of blood in their mouths and were ready to return the favor to thevisiting Santa Clara University.

Event:Price’s Give ‘Em Five Intercollegiate Hosts:New Mexico State Where:New Mexico State Golf Course – Las Cruces,N.M.

When the last volleyball bounced off the court Saturday, the Aggies were left with an all-too-familiar bad taste in their mouths. For the third straight weekend, UC Davis (8-11, 0-6) suffered back-to-back Big West Conference losses.