Kevin Meza
Jay Parker
1
UC Riverside UCR (2-4-2, 0-0-1)
1
CSUN CSUN (2-3-4, 0-0-1)
UC Riverside UCR
(2-4-2, 0-0-1)
1
Final
1
CSUN CSUN
(2-3-4, 0-0-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UC Riverside UCR 0 1 1
CSUN CSUN 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Men’s Soccer Secures Another Tough Road Point

Highlanders keep chopping with late equalizer to open Big West play

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. - UC Riverside secured a second consecutive well-earned road point on Wednesday night with a 1-1 draw against CSUN at Matador Soccer Field.  

HOW IT HAPPENED 

  • UCR fielded the same starting XI that helped the Highlanders earn a draw at CBU in last week's non-conference finale. Wednesday's starters created multiple chances in the final third early, but it was CSUN breaking the deadlock with the opener in the ninth minute.  
  • Luka Lukic was in on goal with a through ball similar to his strike at LMU, but the Serbian was denied at the doorstep before rolling a second ball across the box. Carlos Gonzalez came off his line at the other end in the 14th minute to prevent a 2-0 deficit. 
  • UCR won a corner kick in the 26th minute but sailed it over the fence beyond the endline. Edward Castro created another close chance with a cross into Lukas Juodkunaitis as halftime neared.  
  • Gonzalez was called upon again a good 20 minutes into the second half, maintaining a calm demeanor against a pair of close calls to keep the deficit to a minimum. 
  • Wyatt Ponting made his collegiate debut in the 72nd minute and wasted no time making an impact, levelling the match in the 75th. The freshman found himself on the receiving end of a header at the back post before Christian Ceja nearly put the Highlanders ahead a few minutes later. 
  • UC Riverside held steady in the dying seconds of the match as Juodkunaitis blocked a last-ditch attempt out of harm's way.  

NOTABLES 

  • UC Riverside picked up its first result on the year when conceding first. The Highlanders are now unbeaten in four of their last five matches while earning their first result in a Big West opener since 2016. 
  • UCR is now unbeaten in seven of its last eight against the Matadors.  
  • Ponting became the first Highlander to score in his debut since AJ Meade-Tatum's brace in the 2021 season opener.  
  • The freshman is also the second substitute this season to find the net, joining Noah Lopez with his brace at San Diego State.  

UP NEXT 

  • Big West play continues Saturday afternoon with a 4:00 p.m. kickoff at Sacramento State before the Highlanders return to the UCR Soccer Stadium on Wednesday, October 9 for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff against UC Irvine on Latin Heritage Night.