MORAGA, Calif. – The University of California, Riverside (UCR) women's soccer team traveled north to the East Bay Area to face the Gaels of Saint Mary's College (SMC) in a non-conference road match.
 
Both teams battled for an opportunity to open the scoreboard in the first half. SMC defense stifled the Highlanders from even getting a shot off, as Freshman Goalie Cassia Souza saved three shots on goal. The teams entered the break knotted 0-0 after 45 minutes.
 
Souza had another save in the second half, while the Gaels got six shots off in the final period of the game.
 
Daphane Mendez created the first opportunity on goal for the Highlanders in the fiftieth minute, taking a shot at the low left corner that was saved by the Gaels goalkeeper.
 
Alexandra Hargrave got the second shot on goal for UC Riverside at the hour mark of the game, blasting a shot to the upper left corner of the goal that was snagged yet again by SMC's keeper.
 
Leyna Wood also got two opportunities for herself in rapid succession in the seventy-fifth minute, getting one shot off that was successfully blocked by Gael's defense and taking another right after that, which was off target.
 
Saint Mary's took the lead, 1-0, in the final 15 minutes of the game, knocking a cross into the lower-right corner of the net.
 
The Highlanders ran out of time to counter the Gael's goal and fell in the contest with a final score of 1-0 at regulation.
 
UC Riverside continues on the road with a pair of games in Utah. On Friday, September 10, the Highlanders will face Utah State followed by a game on Sunday, September 12 against Weber State.