Ronaldo Lomeli Dribbling 2019 CBU
1
Air Force AFA (1-4-0, 0-0-0)
2
Winner UC Riverside UCR (5-1-0, 0-0-0)
Air Force AFA
(1-4-0, 0-0-0)
1
Final
2
UC Riverside UCR
(5-1-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Air Force AFA 0 1 1
UC Riverside UCR 1 1 2

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Highlanders Off to Best Start in Last Six Seasons

RIVERSIDE—The Highlanders (5-1-0) are off to their best start since the 2013 season after a Sunday morning win over Air Force (1-4-0) propelled the UC Riverside Men's Soccer Team to a 5-1-0 record. This 2-1 victory also protected the team's perfect slate at home, which now stands at 4-0-0.

The start of the 2018 season saw a similar slate of tough opponents to begin the non-conference, but UCR is now enjoying the benefit of having seven of its first nine matches at UCR Soccer Stadium, including the next three straight against LMU, GCU, and San Diego. The Highlander defense has been another reason for the hot start, as it has allowed just four goals in the six matches, compared to 17 in the same stretch last year.

Sunday's bout with the Falcons was scoreless through 30 minutes until an AF foul just outside the box set the Highlanders up for a point blank free kick. Sophomore Caio Guazzelli would step to the mark and curve a perfect ball around the wall created by the Falcon defense and into the upper-right corner of the net for his first goal as a Highlander.

Up 1-0 in the second period Guazzelli would look to strike again in, firing off a hard shot at the AF keeper, which he deflected back into play. Junior Hugo Magana Jr wasted no time to collect the rebound and tap in what would be the game-winning goal. This would be his second of the weekend.

The Falcons showed life in the final 10 minutes landing a goal on a free kick from Quinn Matulis (82'), and nearly tying the match with a great chance in the last few possessions.

The Highlander defense would hold strong to take the match 2-1, and only allow one shot on frame in the entire match.

UC Riverside is back at it at UCR Soccer Stadium this Thursday when the team hosts LMU. The Lions edged out the Highlanders in last year's meeting in Los Angeles by a score of 3-2.