RIVERSIDE, Calif. - UC Riverside scored 75 seconds into Thursday's clash with UC Davis, but fell 2-1 to the Aggies at the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both sides played a relatively defensive midfield for the opening 15 minutes, but Aaliyah Tu'ua scored in her second consecutive match just 75 seconds in off a corner kick to put UCR up early. 
• Marieke ten Brink was a formidable force in her center back role for UC Riverside, helping the Highlanders control the game in the defensive third while UCR pushed for another goal at the other end of the pitch.
• Cassia Souza came off her line in the 34th minute to try and beat an Aggie attacker to the ball, but UC Davis was able to equalize. Souza later made up for the miscue, preventing a 2-1 lead just before halftime with a kick save in the 43rd minute. 
• Braelynn Llamoca had a golden opportunity to push UCR ahead in the 50th minute with a free kick just beyond the box, but skied it over the bar with her eyes locked on the top right corner. 
• Lexie Yela streaked down the near side shortly after and played it into the attacking third, but UCR could not muster a shot after scrambling for an attempt in front of the net. 
• Ten Brink continued to come up big with a couple of key final third clearances about 11 minutes into the second half, including a delicately-played effort in the box in the 56th minute. 
• UC Riverside was fortunate not to concede in the 63rd after UC Davis played a ball just a bit too far for a potential shot on target. The Highlanders were bailed out again in the 75th minute - this time by the near post - before UC Davis went ahead in the 81st for the match winner.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

• Tu'ua scored her third career goal - two of which have now come against UC Davis - and UCR's earliest in a match since Lindsey Turner scored 2:23 into a 2021 visit to Utah State. Braelynn Llamoca recorded her third assist of the season while Arianna Dominguez tallied her second in as many appearances.
• UCR's defense consistently disrupted the Aggies' passing lanes well into the second half, especially through the middle of the pitch led by ten Brink's efforts in the middle of the back line.
• Yela earned her second start of the season and second in her last three appearances with a season-high 77 minutes, primarily creating scoring opportunities for UC Riverside down the right side. 

UP NEXT

• UC Riverside will make the short trip to UC Irvine on Sunday, October 15 for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff from Anteater Stadium on ESPN+.