SACRAMENTO, Calif.— The Highlanders clinched a spot in the Big West Conference Tournament for the 3rd straight year Saturday night as the UC Riverside Men's Soccer Team dropped Sacramento State 2-0. UCR has now won six of its last eight matches, five of which came in shutout fashion.

The Highlanders are now 4-2-0 in conference play and currently hold the two-spot with just one regular season match to go. UCR will look to potentially move into 1st next Saturday when the team hosts Cal State Fullerton on Senior Day.

Both teams remained scoreless through the first 45 minutes at Hornet Field, but the Highlander offense would come alive in the 2nd half finding the back of the net twice.

In the 51st minute, senior Edward Benito played a short cross to sophomore Roberto Garcia-Vargas who then fired in his third goal of the season to give his team a 1-0 lead.

UCR would strike again in the 79th as senior Antonio Lokossou broke away and beat the keeper one-on-one to supply an insurance score. The Highlanders would hang on to the 2-0 lead behind stellar defensive efforts as the Hornets put up 10 shots, but only landed two on goal.

Junior goal keeper Edwyn Gutierrez earned his 6th win of the season saving both of Sac State's attempts.

The Highlanders now return home for the final regular season match next Saturday hosting the Titans.

Visit gohighlanders.com/tickets to purchase tickets.