San Luis Obispo, CA—The UC Riverside Men's Soccer Team knew goals would be at a premium Saturday evening as they took on the top defense in the Big West, the Cal Poly Mustangs. Cal Poly entered the match sporting a goals against average of 0.79 and six shutouts, and they performed as advertised, limiting the Highlanders to eight shots on the night in a 2-1 Cal Poly victory.

The win kept the Mustangs (7-2-3, 2-0-2) unbeaten in Big West play as they chase UC Santa Barbara (9-3-1, 4-0-0) for the top spot in the North Division.

The Highlanders dropped into a second place tie with CSUN in the South Division as the Matadors topped Sacramento State, 2-1, on Saturday.

Cal Poly scored the first goal of the evening in the 30th minute when Chase Minter's cross found Matt LaGrassa in the Highlanders box to put the Mustangs up, 1-0. With 10:11 remaining in regulation, Cal Poly picked up its second goal of the evening on Jared Pressley's first score of the season.

UC Riverside finally broke through the Mustangs' defenses in the 84th minute when Michael Salazar netted his sixth goal of the season. The Highlanders pushed for the equalizer, but Cal Poly was able to hold on for the win.

UC Riverside remains on the road this week as the Highlanders travel to UC Irvine on Wednesday, October 14 for a 7 pm PT tip against the Anteaters.