UC Davis out-shot CSUN 19-12, recorded six shots on goal compared to the Matadors’ two, nearly doubled the amounts of corner kicks earned, compared to its opponent by finishing with 10, and dominated the battle for possession, but was unable to break a scoreless tie after 110 minutes of action.

By ending Sunday’s Big West match with a double-overtime scoreless draw, the Aggies still earned a point in the standings and, when combined with the three points collected after Thursday’s victory against Cal Poly, will enter the second week of league play atop the conference standings.

UC Davis will now embark on its inaugural road trip of the season with an 8-3-2 overall and 1-0-1 Big West record. The Matadors, who played their first league game of the year on Sunday, will return to Southern California with records of 7-5-1 and 0-0-1. 

With its scoreless tie vs. CSUN, women’s soccer also posted an undefeated record during its season-long four-match homestand. Sunday’s result took place after the Aggies recorded 1-0 victories vs. San Diego State, Saint Mary’s and Cal Poly in the preceding weeks.

“Earning four points in the standings, against two formidable opponents who will play well in conference, is a strong way to start our league schedule,” said UC Davis head coach Twila Kaufman.

As was the case with Thursday’s home match against Cal Poly, Sunday’s match also took place against another team that competed in last year’s league playoffs.

UC Davis’ final league contest of the weekend also marked the third time in as many matches that the Aggies competed in double-overtime contest. 

Including their result against the Matadors, women’s soccer is 2-2-2 in overtime this season.

Starting with the second half, one that saw UC Davis record twice as many shots as CSUN, the Aggies dominated possession and were able to create scoring chances at will. 

Of Matador goalkeeper Cynthia Tafoya’s six saves, three were earned throughout the final 45 minutes of regulation. 

“We are going to react to whatever the other team gives us. We are always going to read what is happening and adjust,” said Kaufman regarding her team’s ability to successfully control the pace of play throughout each match.

On the opposite side of the field, Alexis Smith needed to make only two saves to collect her fourth straight shutout and program-record ninth of the season.

With six matches remaining before the start of the conference’s postseason tournament, Smith is within striking distance of the league’s single-season shutout record. Already responsible for shattering the previous school mark of seven, Smith’s is on pace to record one of the lowest top-10 goals against averages in UC Davis, and Big West history.

Women’s soccer’s all-time single-season record was set by Amy Armknect in 1996 when she finished that year with a 0.79 GAA (14 goals allowed in 1,585 minutes). Taylor Jern, the Aggies’ previous goalkeeper, is responsible for the program’s Division I single-season mark of 1.09 — set in 2012 when she gave up 21 goals throughout her 1,730 minutes played.

Smith ends her first week of league matches with a Big West-low 0.43 GAA.

For the first time since late August, UC Davis will leave Northern California for a weekend of road matches. Awaiting the Aggies are Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside, teams that will host the hottest team in the Big West on Friday and Sunday respectively.

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