SAN DIEGO - Trailing 1-0 in the first half at No. 24 San Diego State, UC Davis nearly capitalized on numerous scoring opportunities leading up to the break, and the opening block of action in the second half to even the score. However, when the Aztecs' Angela Mitchell scored her second goal of the day, the Aggies were unable to erase their deficit in the remaining minutes and lost their non-conference match, 2-0.

Sunday's result pushes UC Davis' record to 1-1; SDSU also ended its first weekend of the season with a 1-1 mark. 

"I think this young team did a good job in handing a difficult situation - opening the season on the road, against its rival, before facing a top 25 opponent. SDSU took the field with something to prove, especially coming off a challenging match of its own," said head coach Twila Kaufman, "and we were ready to compete."

In the 30th minute of Sunday's match, Mitchell scored the first goal by either team to give SDSU a 1-0 advantage. However, before the crowd even had a chance to settle back into their seats, the Aggies nearly tied the score once again on their inaugural scoring opportunity.

Kayla Collins' header would have found the back of the net, less that one minute after the goal was scored, if she was not stymied by SDSU's goalkeeper. Instead of crossing the end line, the ball was redirected out of bounds for one of two UC Davis first-half corner kicks.

"I was proud of the team with the way they responded. After [San Diego State] scored, we were able to open up the field and take smart risks when the opportunity presented itself," Kaufman said.

With just under five minutes left until halftime, Andrea Damian recorded the Aggies' final shot of the half, an attempt that just sailed above the Aztecs' crossbar. 

The score remained untouched for another half-hour until Mitchell struck again in the 61st minute to double her team's lead.

As was the case in the first half, UC Davis immediately responded by generating another scoring chance - this time it was Damian who was turned away at the final moment.

By recording another two throughout the second half, Damian led all Aggies with four shots.

Collins, Damian and Mandy McKeegan were collectively responsible for UC Davis' shots on goal; McKeegan's attempt was earned in the waning moments of the match.

Of the 21 shots that were fired in her direction, UC Davis netminder Taylor Jern stopped seven and finished with more than twice as many saves compared to her Aztec counterpart. 

Starting with Friday's 5 p.m. home opener versus San Jose State, UC Davis' next two games will take place at Aggie Soccer Field. The brief homestand will conclude two days later Quinnipiac when visits campus.

Added Kaufman, "We are learning and growing as a team, returning to Davis battle-tested and cannot wait to compete in front of our fans."

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