Irvine, CA—The postseason picture in the Big West Conference's South Division cleared up ever-so-slightly Wednesday evening as the UC Riverside Men's Soccer Team dropped a 2-1 decision at UC Irvine, and Cal State Fullerton and CSUN battled to a 1-1 tie.
The Highlanders appeared to be headed towards a situation where they would control their own destiny on Saturday's final day of the regular season, as they led the Anteaters 1-0 late in the second half thanks to a Jacob Arrieta (
Highland, CA) score. Goalkeeper Vincent Morales (
Bellflower, CA) was injured in the 75th minute, however, and had to leave the match. UC Irvine scored goals in the 84th and 86th minutes against his replacement, David Heredia (
San Jose, CA), to steal the win.
That sets up a scenario where the Highlanders will need some help to secure the number one seed in the South Division, and the first round bye that comes with it.
Big West
Men's Soccer Standings |
| SOUTH DIVISION |
| CSUN |
4 |
2 |
3 |
15 |
| Cal State Fullerton |
4 |
3 |
2 |
14 |
| UC Riverside |
4 |
4 |
1 |
13 |
| UC Irvine |
3 |
6 |
0 |
9 |
|
|
|
|
|
A win over CSUN this Saturday, October 29 at 7 pm PT would leapfrog UC Riverside past the Matadors. The Highlanders would then need Cal State Fullerton to lose or tie the Anteaters in their 7 pm Saturday match for UCR to finish first in the division. The Highlanders would then host the winner of the first round match between the number two North seed and the number three South seed in the conference semifinals.
A UC Riverside win Saturday coupled with a Titans victory would give Fullerton the number one seed, and drop the Highlanders to number two, allowing UC Riverside to host the number three seed in the North Division in the first round of the conference tournament.
If the Highlanders lose to or tie CSUN, they finish in third place, and have to travel to the number two seed in the North Division for the first round.
