RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside returned to UC Riverside Soccer Stadium on Saturday night with a 2-0 win over Sacramento State.
Saturday's three points was UCR's sixth win in their last eight matchups with the Hornets, and the third clean sheet of the season for Carlos Gonzalez.
"Every team in the Big West plays at a high level," head coach Tim Cupello said. "We are one of the best conferences in the country, soo any time you get three points, it's something to be celebrated."
Dorian Morrison made his third straight start after his seven previous appearances came off the bench. The junior logged the first shot of the night for either side, going for the lower right of the goal in the ninth minute.
Oscar Penate made it three straight games with multiple shots, accounting for three of the Highlanders' four attempts in the first 30 minutes of play.
Jonick Pineda scored his third goal of the season and second in as many games, volleying UCR's fifth shot of the half past the Hornets' goalkeeper in the 32nd minute off a corner kick.
Issa Badawiya recorded UC Riverside's 10th shot on the night, aiming for the right side of the goal in the 57th minute. The Highlanders ended the night with 14 shots, marking the third straight game with a double-digit shot effort for the Highlanders and ninth this season.
Badawiya made his first appearance since September 19, logging 24 minutes and two shots in the win over the Hornets.
Penate launched his fifth shot of the night in the 60th minute, surpassing his single-game high the Cerritos College transfer set just last week at UC Davis. The junior's next attempt in the 80th minute tied a single-game high for a Highlander this season and found the back of the net for the 2-0 lead.
The Watts native continued his offensive tear, now with three goals and 12 shots in his last three appearances.
"I give it my all once I'm on the field, whether I start or not," Penate said. "That doesn't change my mentality to work hard for my team. Individually, I feel like I'm getting more comfortable, doing what I do the best on the field and knowing what my strengths are."
The Highlanders will play their third game in seven days on Wednesday, October 13 when UCR hosts CSUN at UC Riverside Soccer Stadium at 7:00 p.m. PT. Live stats will be available at gohighlanders.com.
