SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – UC Riverside (0-14-2, 0-7-1 Big West) went toe to toe with one of the Big West's best on Thursday at Mustang Memorial Field before dropping a 1-0 heartbreaker to Cal Poly (8-2-8, 6-2-1 Big West).
The Highlanders kicked off their Central Coast road trip with their second lowest opponents' shot percentage of the year and lowest amongst Big West competition.
UCR began the night out of possession and successfully defended a dangerous set piece in the ninth minute. Selena Hernandez logged the Highlanders' first shot less than a minute after subbing on, pushing a slow roller wide of the right post in the 16th minute.
UCR's first promising chance came off Audrey Stewart's boot in the 31st minute. The sophomore volleyed one towards the top right corner off a throw-in, and UC Riverside continued threatening with blocked shots from Hernandez and Juliet Savage in the 34th and 35th minutes.
Trinity Hale hugged the near post in the 42nd minute and preserved the goalless scoreline with a slight dive to her left. Cal Poly had penetrated UCR's midfield throughout the half, but was held without a shot on goal for the opening 45 minutes.
Sanaa Guyness slid into action in the 58th minute and cleared a ball off the line before Hale dove to her right on the ensuing corner for her first save. Jayla Justice was next in line to play savior, lifting a ball out of harm's way from inside the six.
Hale came up big again in the 80th minute, springing to attention on a loose ball with Justice's defensive aid once again. UCR pressured the Mustangs on the other end with a pair of attempts from Guyness and Spenser Gonzales.
Cal Poly revved up its urgency in the waning 10 minutes, but started its final push less than strong after the Highlanders cleared a promising attack in the 83rd minute. Hale came to the rescue on several more occasions down the stretch before the Mustangs secured the game winner in the 86th minute.
UCR finishes its road season on Sunday afternoon with a 12:00 pm kickoff at UC Santa Barbara on ESPN+.
