Highlanders and Aztecs Play to 2-2 Draw

Saturday, October 24

Riverside, Calif.

7:00 pm

UC Riverside

4-7-5, 1-2-2

San Diego State

3-7-8, 1-0-4

Team	1	2	Final F
San Diego St.	0	2	2
UC Riverside	1	1	2

Parking

Adrian Diaz with the ball against San Diego State

Photo by: Rahul Kamble

10/24/2026 10:34:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The Highlanders and the Aztecs played their biggest match of the season Saturday night at UCR Soccer Stadium. Both teams needed a win to control their own destiny in the final push for a top-four spot in the conference standings and a berth in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament, which begins Nov. 7. UC Riverside took a 2-0 lead, but San Diego State rallied to draw the match, 2-2.

The Highlanders came out aggressively, recording three shots in the opening 14 minutes. Jackson D'Alessandro led the offensive push, taking all three attempts, with two on target.

In the 22', Adrian Diaz was fouled in the box. After a review a few minutes later, the officials determined that a foul had occurred and awarded the Highlanders a penalty kick. Tarek Hamideh stepped up and buried the penalty, giving UC Riverside a 1-0 lead. The goal was Hamideh's fifth of the season.

The Highlanders continued to pressure the Aztecs but could not find another goal before halftime, taking their 1-0 advantage into the break.

UC Riverside maintained its offensive pressure to start the second half, recording three of the first four shots. Jona Martinez came closest to extending the lead, but his attempt struck the crossbar and bounced away. Ryan Guerra also had an opportunity but sent his shot over the net.

In the 60', Guerra centered the ball for Diaz, who finished to give the Highlanders a 2-0 lead. It was Diaz's second goal of the week after he scored in UC Riverside's 2-2 draw against Cal State Bakersfield.

San Diego State responded in the 67' when Max Mair scored off a set piece. Just three minutes later, the Aztecs pulled even as Gio Aguirre curled a direct free kick into the top-right corner to make it 2-2.

In the closing moments, Diaz came within inches of restoring the Highlanders' lead, but his attempt struck the post and stayed out.

With the draw, UC Riverside sits tied with Cal Poly for fifth in the conference standings, with both teams holding five points. San Diego State sits just ahead with seven points, while UC San Diego has six.

The Highlanders' upcoming matchup against Cal Poly looms large as they look to secure a place in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament. San Diego State and UC San Diego will face off on Halloween night, leaving UC Riverside with an opportunity to climb the standings. The Highlanders still have a chance to clinch a tournament berth and potentially earn the No. 3 seed, but they will need to take care of business against the Mustangs.