BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – UCR's Big West postseason picture took a more definitive shape on Saturday night at the Main Soccer Field in Bakersfield after the Highlanders blanked CSU Bakersfield 2-0.
With losses from CSUN and Cal State Fullerton in addition to a draw from UC Santa Barbara, the Highlanders now sit pretty with the number two seed ahead of next week's Senior Night showdown with conference leader UC Santa Barbara.
UC Riverside applied early pressure out of the gate, as Oscar Penate struck woodwork in the ninth minute looking for his second goal in as many matches. Leopoldo Hernandez flung one over the far post five minutes later, as the Highlanders utilized the right sideline while breaking at pace with Noah Lopez positioned up top.
Issa Badawiya's penalty chance was saved in the 15th minute after being taken down in the box, ripping away a golden opportunity for UC Riverside to grab a 1-0 lead.
UC Riverside controlled the bulk of the ball in the opening 45 minutes with bursts of possession from Bakersfield, only for the Roadrunners to be taken off the ball by UCR's quiet but ready back line.
The Highlanders earned their second corner of the night in the 32nd minute that found Aleksander Vukovic at the back post, but the header went wide of the woodwork. Badawiya found the back of the net in the 36th minute, but in an offside position. UCR smothered Bakersfield's defensive third in the first half with a 10-3 shot advantage, seeing it pay off in the 43rd minute with Brendan Clark's sixth goal of the year.
UC Riverside wasted no time out of intermission padding their lead, as Adrian Meade-Tatum lifted a ball across the center line to an awaiting Clark, who made the centering pass to Alfonso Ramirez for the Azusa native's first goal in blue and gold. It was Clark's second assist against the Roadrunners in as many years.
The Highlanders kept their foot on the gas in the second half and racked up 21 shots total on the night, marking the second consecutive year that UC Riverside has tallied at least 20 shots in a match. The total bests 17 earlier this year in a 4-0 win over St. Thomas. Shot number 17 on Saturday came off Badawiya's boot in the 75th minute that missed the far top corner from just inside 18.
21 is also the program's most in a Big West play since 20 against Cal State Fullerton in 2018.
UC Riverside will close out the regular season on Saturday, October 29 with a 7:00 p.m. kick against UC Santa Barbara at the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium on ESPN+.
