Box Score RIVERSIDE, Calif. (August 21, 2021) – The UC Riverside women's soccer team kicked off the first Crosstown Showdown of the 2021 fall season, downing visiting California Baptist 2-0 at UCR Soccer Stadium.
Head coach
Nat Gonzalez' young Highlanders squad featured four freshmen in the first starting 11 of 2021, including goalkeeper Cassie Souza.
"I'm really proud of the team's effort," Gonzalez said. "I was really excited that they were able to step up tonight. I'm excited because everything's new. Everything's fresh and we have a chance to start fresh again after a COVID-19 hiatus."
UCR's back line gave Souza ample time to acclimate to the college game, holding until the 13
th minute when Souza corralled a CBU shot for the first attempt by either side. Souza's save was on the Lancers' first of only five shots on the night against 10 for the Highlanders.
Youth rose to form first for UCR, as
Alexandra Hargrave found the back of the net in the first half for the Highlanders' first goal of the season. Hargrave sent in a ball from the top of the 18-yard box to the top right corner.
Alexis Vera provided insurance for UC Riverside in the second half. Vera, who logged an assist in the 2019 Crosstown Showdown at UCR Soccer Stadium, found the back of the net in the second half of Saturday's season opener from six yards out off an assist from
Leigh Polson. Saturday marked the second consecutive season with a goal from the Chino Hills native in UCR's first win of the season. Vera also converted a penalty in UC Riverside's 1-0 win over Houston in 2019.
With their second season-opening win in three years, UC Riverside now turns its attention to an August 26 tilt at Loyola Marymount in the first of three consecutive matches against the West Coast Conference.
