Sports

Teams: UC Davis at Cal State Northridge

Records: Aggies, 6-4-3 (1-2-1); Matadors, 5-7-1 (0-2-0)

Where: Matador Soccer Field - Northridge, Calif.

When: Today at 2:30 p.m.

Event: NCAA Pre-Nationals; Santa Clara Brono Invitational

Where: LaVern Gibson Course - Terre Haute, Ind.; Baylands Park - Santa Clara, Calif.

When: Saturday at 11:35 a.m.; 9:45 a.m.

Who to watch: There's one problem with having a great front-runner and a very talented group of freshmen: another top runner can be overlooked.

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 days may be over.

In a field that featured five of the nation's top 25 teams and 10 of the top 50, UC Davis beat them all on Tuesday, shooting an 871 to 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 only a sophomore.

From taking over the spot as starting goalkeeper midway through the 2007 season 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 Barbara 2-0 this 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's 2-0 win.

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 a 2-1 victory over Cal State Fullerton.

What a difference a year makes.

This time last season, the UC Davis women'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 a 49-26 win over Southern Utah University in front of a 10,849-person homecoming crowd.

Event: The Prestige at PGA West

Hosts: No. 12 Stanford University, No. 40 UC Davis

Where: Greg Norman Golf Course - La Quinta, Calif.

Streaks can't last forever. Neither can conference dynasties.

The No. 13 UC 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. 15 UC Santa Barbara 2-0 in front of over 4,000 fans 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 the visiting 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.

Event: Homecoming

Teams: UC Davis vs. Southern Utah

Records: Aggies, 2-4; Thunderbirds, 3-3

Where: Aggie Stadium

When: Saturday at 6 p.m.