RIVERSIDE, Calif.—Very little needs to be said by the UC Riverside Women's soccer team to know what its mindset will be coming into Thursday's game against Long Beach State. One word: win.

Marking its final regular season home game, the Highlanders (10-2-3) are in seventh place in the Big West Conference with a record of 1-2-2. The top four teams make it to the conference tournament. Long Beach State (8-4-2) is currently ranked second with a record of 3-0-1.

While the Highlanders don't need any extra motivation to grab a win, Thursday's contest will mark the final regular season home game for eight students athletes. Goalie Laura Perjanik, defender Allyssa Troy, midfielder Maddie Feist, midfielder Kyra Taylor, forward Nerisse Bugho, forward Quinley Quezada, forward Darielle O'Brien and defender Christina Tucker will all be honored before the game.

"Long Beach State will be a tough opponent," head coach Nat Gonzalez said. "We are going to do everything we can to win this game and the girls have been working very hard in practice this week. A win would also be that much sweeter knowing it is senior night."

SCOUTING THE BEACH

LBSU has won three straight games in Big West play. Their most recent win came on Sunday vs. UCSB on a header by Sarah Maher in the 64th minute. Long Beach State's defense has been great so far in 2018 with five shutouts, and has only given up more than two goals once.

SERIES RECORD VS. LBSU

Long Beach State has a 9-5-5 lead in the all-time series between the two programs. The Highlanders have lost the last three contests against the Beach, dating back to a Big West Tournament win in 2015. The teams played to a scoreless draw in 2016 in Riverside, while the Beach won 3-0 last season in Long Beach.

DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE

Even after allowing a goal in Sunday's game vs. CSUN, goalie Annie Bailey has allowed just four goals on the season and ranks third in save percentage (.923) and sixth in goals against average .366 in the NCAA.