RIVERSIDE, Calif— The Highlanders will have the opportunity to control their own destiny Saturday night as they host Cal State Fullerton on Senior Day in a match that will determine each team's seeding in next week's Big West Tournament. The UC Riverside Men's Soccer Team will earn a first-round bye with a win or tie against the Titans.
LAST WEEK
UCR currently rides a two-match win streak as last week the Highlanders shutout CSUN 1-0 and Sacramento State 2-0 on the road. They have now won six of their eight matches.
SCOUTING THE TITANS
Cal State Fullerton comes to Riverside ranked 5th in the Big West with a 2-3-1 conference record. The Titans fell in their last two conference contests, but are coming off a 2-0 win over Nebraska-Omaha this past Tuesday.
POSTSEASON PICTURE
With the Highlanders currently sitting in 2nd place with a two-point lead over UC Santa Barbara, there are several outcomes that would give UCR the 2nd seed and a first-round bye.
If the Highlanders defeat or tie the Titans, they will receive the 2nd seed. A Gaucho loss or tie also keeps UCR in the two spot. The only way for the Highlanders to receive the 3rd seed would be a loss to a Fullerton and a win for UCSB.
DANIEL DOES IT
Sophomore
Daniel Aguirre has been the scoring leader in his 2nd season as a Highlander with a team high five goals, which ranks 5th in the Big West. He tops the Highlanders with 11 points this year so far.
DUSAN DOING WORK
Senior
Dusan Keca helped the Highlanders win the first ever Crosstown Showdown on September 22nd, playing excellent defense and punching in a match-winning penalty kick in the 110th minute. The defender is 2-for-2 on pk's so far this season.
DON'T STOP BELIEVING
The Highlanders have fared well late in matches as they have scored eight goals in the 75th minute or later. Four of those goals were knocked in by sophomore midfielder
Daniel Aguirre.