SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After a battle for possession took place throughout the opening 45 minutes of Friday’s #CausewayCup match at Hornet Field, Celina Minissian capped a second half dominated by the Aggies when she scored the game-winning goal in the 81st minute to help UC Davis down their rival by a 1-0 score.

The Aggies will end their inaugural weekend of the 2014 season at San Diego State Sunday afternoon. Kickoff from the SDSU Sports Deck will take place at 12 p.m.

Sunday’s matchup will also present the Aggies with their first test against nationally ranked competition as the Aztecs enter their inaugural regular season games as Soccer America’s 24th-best team.

In addition to Twila Kaufman’s first as UC Davis’ head coach, Friday’s victory also extended the Aggies’ unbeaten streak against the Hornets to eight matches. Of those eight contests, five ended with UC Davis earning a win.

This year’s annual match-up also extended another streak for Sacramento State as the Hornets were unable to score a goal against the Aggies for the fifth straight year.

“I though Sacramento State did a great job taking advantage of mistakes we made throughout the first half,” said Kaufman.

The Hornets’ most dangerous scoring opportunity took place early in the afternoon when UC Davis goalkeeper Taylor Jern was forced to turn away a shot Jennifer Lum right in front of the Aggies’ goal. 

Even though UC Davis outshot their opponent, 4-3 in the first half, a majority of those opportunities were created in the minutes leading up to halftime.

When the teams returned to the field following the break, a majority of action in the second half took place primarily in and around the Hornets’ penalty area. When the ball did enter their third, the Aggies were able to regroup, reorganize and generate another scoring opportunity.

“I really want to praise the backline because we did not make a substitution throughout the game. Their demeanor and poise directly influenced the game,” said Kaufman. 

Of UC Davis’ 13 shots on goal, nine were taken in the second half. Of that group, it was Minissian who was able to give her team the lead with just over nine minutes remaining. 

“Once I saw the shot, I just took a touch and nailed it as hard as I could,” explained Minissian.

Due to the sheer pace of her shot, Sacramento State goalie Kimberly Mata, even though she made a valiant effort, had zero chance of keeping the Aggies off the scoreboard. 

Minissian and teammate Kayla Collins each led the team with four shots. Of those opportunities, all four of Minissian’s attempts were on goal. Mata turned away three from Collins and finished the match with eight saves. 

Outside of the initial minutes of the match, Jern was rarely tested as she finished her day with two saves.

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