This was a game featuring the UC Davis Aggies and UC Riverside Highlanders on Wednesday the 13th. After watching the game, I decided that the easiest way to evaluate the game was by grading each team by category. The Ags prevailed 1-0 in a slim overtime victory
Grading:
Offense
UCR: C - Riverside never really had any real chances to score on the Ags and part of that was because Riverside was forced to dedicate most of their players to defense, having to hold off the Ag Attack
UCD: B+ - They could’ve gotten an A, but they had too many missed opportunities. Eventually, they scored in OT of a header by Forward Nathan Javadi. However, most offensive production came from Number 7 Alex Aguiar and Number 17 Lance Patterson. Alex was definitely the player of the game, setting up players and attacking himself. Lance Patterson reminded me kind of Jozy Altidore, really tall and strong but still a little raw in his scoring ability. Nevertheless, the duo of Aguiar and Patterson produced many chances for the Ags and look for them to score many goals this season
Goalkeeping:
UCR: B - Although he was the loosing goalie in this game, The Highlanders goalie played fairly well considering he was pretty much always on the defensive in this game. At the end, he was outmatched and let down time and time again by his defense and it showed in the end with the winning header
UCD: B - On the other hand of the spectrum, the Ags goalie didn’t much work at all in the game. He was pretty much picking his nose most of the match, and when the Highlanders were on the attack, his defense picked up most of the slack. He did get the shutout though and kept his composure in the very few situations that hew as pressured
Defense:
UCR: A- : The defense of UCR was the only reason this game wasn’t a blowout. They played exceptionally well, especially considering the fact that Riverside was ALWAYS on the defensive. They’re going to need some help from their offense however, if the highlanders plan on winning any games this season
UCD: A - The ags defense was just spectacular, swarming to the man with the ball and never loosing sight of the ball when it was in their zone.
Overall, nice game by the Ags. They still need to work on finishing attacks, as shown by how many chances they had in this game, but overall they had control of this game from start to finish. Go AGS!
-Kartar Singh
