Saturday, November 5
Riverside, CA
6:00 PM
UC Riverside
vs
UC Davis
Photo by: Gabriel L. Acosta
Win Over UC Davis Would Give Men's Soccer The Three Seed In Big West
11/5/2011 9:19:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Riverside—UC Santa Barbara beat Cal Poly, 2-0, Friday evening which means that the UC Riverside Men's Soccer Team will hit the road for their first-round Big West Conference Tournament match on Wednesday, November 9. The location of that match has yet to be determined though, pending the outcome of the Highlanders Senior Nite match against UC Davis this evening. Kick off is slated for 6 pm PT, and fans who are unable to attend can follow the action on their computers and select mobile devices via LiveStats.
A Highlanders win would move UCR past the Aggies into third place, setting up a first-round meeting with No. 2 seed UC Santa Barbara at 7 pm on Wednesday. A tie keeps the Highlanders in fourth place, and sends them west to top-seeded UC Irvine for a 7 pm match. A loss to UC Davis would also relegate UC Riverside to the four seed, but it would leapfrog UC Davis into first place in the conference, setting up a rematch with the Aggies at 3 pm.
Regardless of seeding, UC Riverside knows that its season is being exended for the first time in the Division I history of the program. The Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, November 12 at the site of the highest remaining seed.
But first things first, as the Highlanders honor their senior class this Saturday prior to kick off against the Aggies. It will be the final regular season home match for Alex Abeelson, Azeez Atanda, Alfonso Ayala, Cesar Diaz Pizarro, Joel Garcia, Nick Goldreich, and Cody Suppé.
Then the focus turns back to the pitch with the Highlanders looking to improve their standing in conference as well as in the regional (7th in the Far West) and national rankings (30th in RPI). UC Riverside dropped a 1-0 decision to UC Davis earlier this season, and the Aggies are 10-3-0 all-time against the Highlanders.
GAME NOTES
POSTSEASON PLAY
The Highlanders clinched their first-ever Big West postseason berth on Tuesday, November 1 without ever having to kick a ball in anger. Cal State Northridge and Cal Poly both lost that evening which sewed up at least a fourth place finish for UC Riverside guaranteeing the Highlanders a spot in the conference tournament.
ALL I DO IS WIN
With UCR's 3-2 upset road win over UC Santa Barbara on October 22, the Highlanders established a new program record for victories in a season with eight. The previous record was seven set by the 2003 and 2004 squads. They now have nine wins on the season with one more regular season match to go.
RPI
The third NCAA RPI rankings came out this week, and the Highlanders ranked 30th in the nation. If UC Riverside can maintain that mark, it will be the highest ranking for the program in its 10-plus-year history. They also are ranked seventh in the region by the NSCAA which is the best regional mark in program history as well.
MEAT IN THE SEATS
Attendance at UC Riverside home matches in 2011 was already up before a crowd of 2,016 saw the team upset #7 UC Santa Barbara on October 28 by a 3-1 score.
That total more than tripled the previous benchmark of 638 set on November 3, 2010 in a 1-0 win over UC Davis. It also pushed UCR's season attendance past the previous program record of 3,036 set in 2010.
At the next home match, the Highlanders had 852 in attendance—the second highest total in school history—as they squared off against #7 UC Irvine. UCR is now averaging 721 fans per match with a total of 5,771 fans in eight matches this season—114 percent better than last year's record setting average.
The Highlanders still have one home match remaining on the 2011 regular season schedule.
FEELING A LITTLE RANK
The Highlanders 3-1 win over #7 UC Santa Barbara on September 28 was the program's third win against a ranked opponent in the 10-plus year Division I history of the program. A few weeks later, they picked up their fourth-ever win against top-25 competition as they beat #15 UCSB, 3-2 on the road. And on October 29, they added a third win over a ranked opponent upsetting #9 UC Irvine on the road, 3-2.
UC Riverside's first win against a ranked opponent was a 2-0 decision at #21 San Diego State on September 4, 2007. They followed that up with a 2-1 victory over #7 UC Davis on October 18, 2008.
IN THE NEWS
College Soccer News named Cesar Diaz Pizarro to the National Team of the Week on Monday, October 31, for the week ending October 30. Diaz Pizarro netted the lone goal in the Highlanders 1-1 tie with Cal State Fullerton, and recorded the game-winner and an assist in UC Riverside's 3-2 win over #9 UC Irvine.
Azeez Atanda earned similar honors the week prior as he picked up an assist on Ivan Garcia's game-winning goal over Cal State Northridge and assisted on Richie Osborne's goal in the Highlanders win over No. 15 UC Santa Barbara.
Diaz Pizarro was named to CollegeSoccer360's Primetime Performers list on October 24 for scoring the game-winning goal against No. 15 UC Santa Barbara.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Senior Cesar Diaz Pizarro leads the Highlanders this season with 9 goals (tied for 2nd in the conference) and 3 assists for 21 points (T 4th). He is now the program leader in career game-winning goals and ranks second in career goals and points.
He is also first in single-season game-winners, tied for first in single-season scores, and second in single-season points.
Career Points
Career Goals
Career Game-Winning Goals
Single Season Points
Single Season Goals
Single Season Game-Winning Goals
LENDING A HELPING FOOT
The Highlanders recorded 25 assists during the 2010 season which is the most in the Division I history of the program. They have 24 assists this year in 17 matches.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSIONI
UC Riverside's 27 goals in 2011 are the second most in the Division I history of the program and one off of the 2004 team's record of 28.
SHOOTING BLANKS
The Highlanders were shut out in back-to-back matches on October 1 at UC Davis and on October 9 vs. Cal Poly. The last time UC Riverside failed to score in back-to-back matches was on September 29 and October 2 of the 2010 season as No. 9 UC Irvine topped UCR 3-0 and Cal Poly picked up a 1-0 overtime victory.
SUPPE'MAN
Cody Suppé was credited with 11 saves in the Highlanders 1-1 double overtime tie with San Jose State on September 17 which are the third highest single-match total in the history of the program. That helped him earn Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors. Suppé leads the Big West in saves per match at 4.64. Suppé also broke the UC Riverside record for wins by a keeper in a season, and now has eight on the year.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS
With a pair of wins in Florida on September 23 and 25, the Highlanders improved their non-conference record to 5-2-1 which gives them the most non-conference wins in the history of the program and just the second winning record during their non-conference season during the team's Division I history (2007, 3-2-2).
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Two familiar faces are gracing the sidelines for UC Riverside this season as the team’s original head coach, Nat Gonzalez, has rejoined the staff as an assistant coach, and the team’s career leading scorer, Luc Harrington, has done the same as a volunteer assistant.
HOME COOKING
The Highlanders ran their program-record home unbeaten streak to six matches on September 28 with a 3-1 win over #7 UC Santa Barbara. That streak came to an end on October 12 with a loss to the #7 ranked UC Irvine Anteaters.
DON'T LOOK ETHEL!
UC Riverside ran its overall unbeaten streak to six matches with a 3-1 upset victory over #7 UC Santa Barbara on September 28. The streak came to an end on October 1 in a 1-0 loss at UC Davis. It is the longest unbeaten streak in the 10-plus year history of the program.
A Highlanders win would move UCR past the Aggies into third place, setting up a first-round meeting with No. 2 seed UC Santa Barbara at 7 pm on Wednesday. A tie keeps the Highlanders in fourth place, and sends them west to top-seeded UC Irvine for a 7 pm match. A loss to UC Davis would also relegate UC Riverside to the four seed, but it would leapfrog UC Davis into first place in the conference, setting up a rematch with the Aggies at 3 pm.
| Big West Standings (thru 11/4) | W | L | T | Pts |
| UC Irvine | 6 | 3 | 1 | 19 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 6 | 4 | 0 | 18 |
| UC Davis | 5 | 3 | 1 | 16 |
| UC Riverside | 4 | 3 | 2 | 14 |
| Cal State Northridge | 3 | 4 | 2 | 11 |
| Cal Poly | 3 | 6 | 1 | 10 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 1 | 5 | 3 | 6 |
Regardless of seeding, UC Riverside knows that its season is being exended for the first time in the Division I history of the program. The Championship Game is scheduled for Saturday, November 12 at the site of the highest remaining seed.
But first things first, as the Highlanders honor their senior class this Saturday prior to kick off against the Aggies. It will be the final regular season home match for Alex Abeelson, Azeez Atanda, Alfonso Ayala, Cesar Diaz Pizarro, Joel Garcia, Nick Goldreich, and Cody Suppé.
Then the focus turns back to the pitch with the Highlanders looking to improve their standing in conference as well as in the regional (7th in the Far West) and national rankings (30th in RPI). UC Riverside dropped a 1-0 decision to UC Davis earlier this season, and the Aggies are 10-3-0 all-time against the Highlanders.
| Highlanders vs. Aggies Match Capsule | ||
| UC Riverside | UC Davis | |
|
2011 Record & Stats |
9-5-3, 4-3-2 |
7-7-3, 5-3-1 |
| Schedule | Schedule | |
| Roster | Roster | |
| Conference | Big West | |
| Current Streak |
W 1 |
T 1 |
|
Most Recent Box Score |
W, 3-2 at #9 UC Irvine |
T, 1-1 (2 OT) vs. Cal State Fullerton |
| Next Opponent |
TBD |
TBD |
| Top Scorer |
 CesarDiaz Pizzaro Senior 9 gls, 3 ast 21 pts |
 Wiesenfarth Freshman 5 gls, 2 asts 12 pts |
|
Top Keeper |
 CodySuppé Senior 16 matches 1.36 gaa, 80 svs |
 Zeenni Sophomore 17 matches 1.05 gaa, 58 svs |
|
All-Time Record vs. |
3-10-0 (View Results) |
|
| Current Streak | L 1 | |
GAME NOTES
POSTSEASON PLAY
The Highlanders clinched their first-ever Big West postseason berth on Tuesday, November 1 without ever having to kick a ball in anger. Cal State Northridge and Cal Poly both lost that evening which sewed up at least a fourth place finish for UC Riverside guaranteeing the Highlanders a spot in the conference tournament.
ALL I DO IS WIN
With UCR's 3-2 upset road win over UC Santa Barbara on October 22, the Highlanders established a new program record for victories in a season with eight. The previous record was seven set by the 2003 and 2004 squads. They now have nine wins on the season with one more regular season match to go.
RPI
The third NCAA RPI rankings came out this week, and the Highlanders ranked 30th in the nation. If UC Riverside can maintain that mark, it will be the highest ranking for the program in its 10-plus-year history. They also are ranked seventh in the region by the NSCAA which is the best regional mark in program history as well.
MEAT IN THE SEATS
Attendance at UC Riverside home matches in 2011 was already up before a crowd of 2,016 saw the team upset #7 UC Santa Barbara on October 28 by a 3-1 score.
That total more than tripled the previous benchmark of 638 set on November 3, 2010 in a 1-0 win over UC Davis. It also pushed UCR's season attendance past the previous program record of 3,036 set in 2010.
At the next home match, the Highlanders had 852 in attendance—the second highest total in school history—as they squared off against #7 UC Irvine. UCR is now averaging 721 fans per match with a total of 5,771 fans in eight matches this season—114 percent better than last year's record setting average.
The Highlanders still have one home match remaining on the 2011 regular season schedule.
FEELING A LITTLE RANK
The Highlanders 3-1 win over #7 UC Santa Barbara on September 28 was the program's third win against a ranked opponent in the 10-plus year Division I history of the program. A few weeks later, they picked up their fourth-ever win against top-25 competition as they beat #15 UCSB, 3-2 on the road. And on October 29, they added a third win over a ranked opponent upsetting #9 UC Irvine on the road, 3-2.
UC Riverside's first win against a ranked opponent was a 2-0 decision at #21 San Diego State on September 4, 2007. They followed that up with a 2-1 victory over #7 UC Davis on October 18, 2008.
IN THE NEWS
College Soccer News named Cesar Diaz Pizarro to the National Team of the Week on Monday, October 31, for the week ending October 30. Diaz Pizarro netted the lone goal in the Highlanders 1-1 tie with Cal State Fullerton, and recorded the game-winner and an assist in UC Riverside's 3-2 win over #9 UC Irvine.
Azeez Atanda earned similar honors the week prior as he picked up an assist on Ivan Garcia's game-winning goal over Cal State Northridge and assisted on Richie Osborne's goal in the Highlanders win over No. 15 UC Santa Barbara.
Diaz Pizarro was named to CollegeSoccer360's Primetime Performers list on October 24 for scoring the game-winning goal against No. 15 UC Santa Barbara.
CLIMBING THE CHARTS
Senior Cesar Diaz Pizarro leads the Highlanders this season with 9 goals (tied for 2nd in the conference) and 3 assists for 21 points (T 4th). He is now the program leader in career game-winning goals and ranks second in career goals and points.
He is also first in single-season game-winners, tied for first in single-season scores, and second in single-season points.
Career Points
| 57 | Luc Harrington | 23 goals, 11 assists | 2001-04 |
| 48 | Cesar Diaz Pizarro | 20 goals, 8 assists | 2008-11 |
Career Goals
| 23 | Luc Harrington | 2001-04 |
| 20 | Cesar Diaz Pizarro | 2008-11 |
Career Game-Winning Goals
| 8 | Cesar Diaz Pizarro | 2008-11 |
| 7 | Luc Harrington | 2001-04 |
Single Season Points
| 22 | Luc Harrington | 9 goals, 4 assists | 2004 |
| 21 | Cesar Diaz Pizarro | 9 goals, 3 assists | 2011 |
Single Season Goals
| 9 | Cesar Diaz PIzarro | 2011 |
| 9 | Luc Harrington | 2004 |
| 9 | Scott Barnett | 2004 |
Single Season Game-Winning Goals
| 4 | Cesar Diaz Pizarro | 2011 |
| 3 | Three Occasions |
LENDING A HELPING FOOT
The Highlanders recorded 25 assists during the 2010 season which is the most in the Division I history of the program. They have 24 assists this year in 17 matches.
| Single-Season Team Assists | ||
| 25 | 2010 | |
| 24 | 2011 | |
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSIONI
UC Riverside's 27 goals in 2011 are the second most in the Division I history of the program and one off of the 2004 team's record of 28.
| Single-Season Team Goals | ||
| 28 | 2004 | |
| 27 | 2011 | |
SHOOTING BLANKS
The Highlanders were shut out in back-to-back matches on October 1 at UC Davis and on October 9 vs. Cal Poly. The last time UC Riverside failed to score in back-to-back matches was on September 29 and October 2 of the 2010 season as No. 9 UC Irvine topped UCR 3-0 and Cal Poly picked up a 1-0 overtime victory.
SUPPE'MAN
Cody Suppé was credited with 11 saves in the Highlanders 1-1 double overtime tie with San Jose State on September 17 which are the third highest single-match total in the history of the program. That helped him earn Big West Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors. Suppé leads the Big West in saves per match at 4.64. Suppé also broke the UC Riverside record for wins by a keeper in a season, and now has eight on the year.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS
With a pair of wins in Florida on September 23 and 25, the Highlanders improved their non-conference record to 5-2-1 which gives them the most non-conference wins in the history of the program and just the second winning record during their non-conference season during the team's Division I history (2007, 3-2-2).
BACK TO THE FUTURE
Two familiar faces are gracing the sidelines for UC Riverside this season as the team’s original head coach, Nat Gonzalez, has rejoined the staff as an assistant coach, and the team’s career leading scorer, Luc Harrington, has done the same as a volunteer assistant.
HOME COOKING
The Highlanders ran their program-record home unbeaten streak to six matches on September 28 with a 3-1 win over #7 UC Santa Barbara. That streak came to an end on October 12 with a loss to the #7 ranked UC Irvine Anteaters.
DON'T LOOK ETHEL!
UC Riverside ran its overall unbeaten streak to six matches with a 3-1 upset victory over #7 UC Santa Barbara on September 28. The streak came to an end on October 1 in a 1-0 loss at UC Davis. It is the longest unbeaten streak in the 10-plus year history of the program.
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