Box Score RIVERSIDE, Calif. – The University of California, Riverside (UCR) Women's Soccer squad took to the pitch on Thursday, September 30, hosting Long Beach State University (LBSU) in the Highlander's 2021 Big West Conference (BWC) home opener. UC Riverside opened Big West play on the road last week, with a pair of games against UCSB and Cal Poly.
 
After opening the conference season with a pair of losses, the Highlanders were fighting for their first win of the BWC slate. UCR battled through the grueling 110-minute double overtime match against the Beach to ultimately hold them to a scoreless draw.
 
Alyssa Carranza, Alexis Vera and Leyna Wood led the Highlanders in shots with two a-piece. Vera, along with teammates Natza Marin and Aaliyah Tu'ua each contributed one shot on goal to comprise the team total of three across the four periods. Neither team would find the net however, as the teams tangled, physically vying for the chance to score. Even though each team got double-digit shots off (the Beach with 12, UCR with 10), neither team would convert an opportunity in regulation, or overtime.
 
Impeccable defense didn't waiver in overtime, as the teams raced against the clock to score in overtime. Neither team got a shot off in the first overtime period. Highlander defense held strong through two LBSU shots in the second overtime period. Caela Kaio earned her sixth and final save of the evening in the 105^th minute, shutting out the Beach in her second start and third appearance this season.  
 
The Highlanders earned a point with the tie, now holding a 3-6-1 overall and 0-2-1 BWC record. UC Riverside will continue Big West competition on Sunday, October 3 at 1PM as they travel to Irvine to take on the UC Irvine Anteaters.