2001 Archives

UC Riverside's Aaron Allen Named to Verizon Academic All-District Soccer Team
(Jan. 10, 2002) - UC Riverside senior midfielder/defender Aaron Allen was named to the 2001 Verizon Academic All-District VIII Soccer Team Wednesday.
The team is selected by the membership of the Collegiate Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Allen will now go on to represent the district on the national ballot.
Allen, a native of Corona, CA, has a 3.808 GPA in Political Science.
On the field, Allen played 17 games in the midfield and defensive ends for the Highlanders. He recorded one assist on the season and provided senior leadership to the first-year soccer program.
Jordan Arias Named All-Big West Honorable Mention
(Nov. 19, 2001) - Freshman forward Jordan Arias was named to All-Big West Honorable Mention Monday, the only Highlander to be named to the teams.
Arias started 16 games and scored three goals and two assists. He led the Highlanders in shots with 37.

Highlanders Tie Northridge 1-1 in Season Finale
(Nov. 18, 2001) - The UC Riverside Highlanders finished the season on a high-note Sunday as they posted a 1-1 tie at Cal State Northridge. The Highlanders finish the season at 1-14-3 overall and 1-7-2 in the Big West, but were 1-0-2 in their last three matches.
UC Riverside's Jordan Arias got the Highlanders on the board first as he beat Matador goalkeeper Joe Barton at the 61:03 mark of the second half. Arias' goal came on an assist from Kyle Warsinski.
The Matadors answered back in the 73rd minute when John Anthony Ortega put a header past UCR keeper Brent Brentley. Ortega converted a cross from Arshak Abyanli and the score was knotted at 1-1. Barton was called on to make just two saves, while Brentley made six.
Northridge had several quality scoring chances in the two overtime periods but could not convert despite an 8-2 shots advantage.
The Matadors finish the season 9-7-3 overall and 4-4-2 in their first campaign in the Big West Conference.

Bentley Named Big West Player of the Week
(Nov. 13, 2001) - UC Riverside goalkeeper Brett Bentley was named the Big West Player of the Week. Bentley shutout UC Irvine on Friday night through 120 minutes and allowed only one goal against Cal State Fullerton on Sunday. Bentley faced 26 UCI shots in a double overtime tie and made 11 saves. He played a key role in the Highlanders gaining their first tie and first win in league play.
Highlanders Earn First Win With 4-1 Victory Over Cal State Fullerton
(Nov. 11, 2001) - It took until the final home game of the season to happen, but the UC Riverside Highlanders posted their first victory of 2001 Sunday with a 4-1 victory over the visiting Cal State Fullerton Titans at the UCR Lower Fields.
The Highlanders, who have a tie and a win in their last two games, are now 1-14-2 overall and 1-7-1 in the Big West. Fullerton is now 8-7-2 and 3-5-1 in conference.
The first half was scoreless, but the Highlanders controlled the tempo early on, out-shooting the Titans 6-5 in the opening frame. However, Fullerton scored just four minutes into the second half as forward Jason Ashurst took a shot from about 18 yards out that UCR goalkeeper Brett Bentley came out and blocked. However, the ball rebounded right back to the feet of Ashurst, and he put the ball in for a 1-0 Titan lead.
The Highlanders tied the game in the 62nd minute. Senior midfielder Aaron Allen, playing his final game at UCR, served the ball to the front of the net where freshman forward Kyle Warsinski headed it off the cross bar. The ball bounced straight down and freshman forward Jordan Arias dove and headed the ball across for his second goal of the season.
UCR took a 2-1 lead in the 81st minute when freshman midfielder Ben Davies scored on a header. Arias set up the score by sending a cross far-post which Davies headed past Titan 'keeper Sam Reynolds.
The Highlanders scored again exactly two minutes later as some pretty passing set Warsinski up for his third goal of the season. Arias served it to Luc Harrington, who fed it to Davies, who found Warsinski for the goal.
But Warsinski wasn't finished. In the 89th minute he put an exclamation point on the afternoon by collecting the ball near the corner and working his way along the endline to the front of the net, where he fired it past Reynolds from about five yards out.
The Highlanders out shot the Titans by a total of 15-12. Reynolds had four saves, while Bentley recorded six.
The four goals and 13 points were the Highlanders highest production of the season. Their previous best had been two goals in losses to UNLV and San Diego State. Warsinski had five points on the afternoon, one more than he had entering the match.

UCR Breaks Losing Streak With 0-0 Tie Against First Place UC Irvine
(Nov. 9, 2001) - The UC Riverside Highlanders men's soccer team snapped an 11-game losing streak by posting a 0-0 tie with the first place UC Irvine Anteaters in a Big West match at the UCR Lower Fields Friday.
Though scoreless, the game was filled with energy as the Anteaters (8-3-6, 4-0-3) battled to stay on top of the Big West standings while the Highlanders (0-14-2, 0-7-1) fought for their first victory of the year.
The Highlanders' previous tie came in a 1-1 game on September 9 at Sacramento State.
Both teams had excellent scoring opportunities. The Anteaters, who out shot UCR 26-11, had the first solid crack at the net in the 65th minute when UCR goalkeeper Brett Bentley was called for pouncing on a loose ball outside the goalie box during a scramble in front of the net. Saul Wolf's free kick attempt couldn't make it through the Highlanders wall, however.
The Highlanders had several solid looks in the final minutes of the second overtime, including three headers in the final five seconds, two of which were saved by Anteater 'keeper Cameron Rossi and one that was blocked by the defense. The shutout was the first in Bentley's collegiate career.
In all Bentley recorded 11 saves while Rossi had four. Kyle Warsinski led UCR with three shots, while Irvine's Jon Spencer had a match-high six.
The Highlanders were out shot by the Anteaters, 26-11, but had a 7-5 advantage in the extra time after being out shot 21-4 in regulation

UCSB Beats UCR, 1-0
(Nov. 4, 2001) - UC Santa Barbara's Jaime Ambriz scored in the 65th minute to give the Gauchos a 1-0 win over the Highlanders Sunday.
The Highlanders were out shot by an 18-3 margin. Goalkeeper Brett Bentley recorded five saves in the loss.
UCR is now 0-14-1 overall and 0-7 in conference.
Cal Poly Defeats UCR, 3-1
(Nov. 2, 2001) - UCR's Jordan Arias had a goal, but it wasn't enough as Cal Poly defeated the Highlanders 3-1 at San Luis Obispo Friday.
Arias' goal came with 27 seconds remaining in the match.
UCR is now 0-13-1 overall and 0-6 in conference.
Gauchos Shut Out Highlanders, 4-0
(Oct. 26, 2001) - The UC Santa Barbara Gauchos kept the UC Riverside Highlanders winless in 2001 with a 4-0 win at the UCR Lower Fields Friday.
With the loss, UCR drops to 0-12-1 overall and 0-5 in the Big West. Santa Barbara is 7-4-3 overall and 3-1-1 in the Big West.
Gene Deering opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, taking a pass by Drew McAthy and using speed down the middle to beat the defense and put it past UCR goalkeeper Alex Keough, who was making his second start of the season as regular starter Brett Bentley was out with the flu.
Nate Boyden scored the Gauchos' second goal in the 26th minute as he fired a right-footed shot off a free kick by Neil Jones.
The Gauchos out shot the Highlanders 8-4 in the first half, but four came on one flurry that saw a pair of saves by Keough and a pair by the Highlander defense.
Neil Jones scored the Gauchos third goal in the 56th minute on a penalty kick after Keough was given a yellow card for pulling down a Gaucho attacker in the box. The final tally came in the 79th minute as McAthy picked up a goal on a flurry in front of the net in which the ball bounced off a Highlander defender and right to McAthy, who fired it into a largely open net.
In all the Gauchos out shot UCR 26-5. Keough recorded 10 saves and was helped by a pair of saves by defender Jordan Arias on point blank shots.

Cal Poly Defeats UCR, 2-0
(Oct. 21, 2001) - Cal Poly (SLO) defeated the University of California, Riverside 2-0 at the UC Riverside Lower Fields on Sunday.
The first half was very even with the Highlanders controlling the possession time, but with the Mustangs posting a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal.
Cal Poly had a great scoring chance in the 68th minute as midfielder Brad Hallock took a blast from the top of the box that beat goalkeeper Brett Bentley, but senior defender Aaron Allen was there to make the stop with a high kick on the goal line.
But moments later in the 70th minute, James Newton fired a cross pass that went through the hands of goalkeeper Bentley and right to forward Andre Nestle about 10 feet out, which he sent into the open net.
The Mustangs scored again just in the 72nd minute as Mark Jones knocked home a rebound of a shot by Barrymore Matthews following a flurry in front of the net.
The Highlanders had a good scoring opportunity at the 80:00 minute mark when Jordan Arias had a free kick just outside the top of the box. However, his shot hit the crossbar and bounced out, and a rebound attempt by Kenji Shakir went wide.
Overall, Cal Poly out shot UCR, 20-13. Mustang goalkeeper Greg Blevins had four saves, while Bentley recorded nine.

Anteaters Shutout Highlanders, 1-0
(Oct. 19, 2001) - UC Irvine shut out UC Riverside, 1-0, Friday night at Anteater Stadium. With the loss, UCR fell to 0-10-1 overall and 0-3 in conference, while UCI moved to 6-3-4 overall and 2-0-1 in conference.
The only goal of the game was knocked in at the 23:18 mark, off the foot of UCI's Dardo Acuna from a Saul Wolf assist. The Anteaters out shot the Highlanders, 17-7. Brett Bentley collected seven saves for the Highlanders.
Matadors Take Down UCR, 2-0
(Oct. 14, 2001) - Cal State Northridge won their first Big West match of the season, defeating the host UC Riverside Highlanders, 2-0 at the UCR Lower Fields Sunday.
The Matadors (6-2-1, 1-0) opened the scoring in the 12th minute as Brian Phillips took a feed from Charles Mitchell and put it past the outstretched hands of UCR goalkeeper Brett Bentley.
Twelve minutes later forward Yossi Raz, the leading scorer in the Big West Conference, took a cross from Brandon Esparza and shot it far post past Bentley for a 2-0 lead.
The teams played scoreless soccer for the rest of the way, although the Matadors outshot the Highlanders by a 17-6 margin, including 9-1 in the second half.
Bentley made five saves on the afternoon, and Northridge's Joe Barton earned the shutout with three saves.

UNLV Scores Three Times in Final 10 Minutes to Defeat Highlanders, 3-2
(Oct. 7, 2001) - The UC Riverside Highlanders' men's soccer team held a 2-0 lead for 80 minutes against UNLV Sunday, but the Rebels came roaring back with three goals in the final 9:32 of play to take a 3-2 win at the San Bernardino Blast Soccer Complex Sunday. The loss dropped the Highlanders to 0-8-1 on the season, while UNLV moved to 5-4.
UCR opened the scoring in the first minute as freshman forward Kyle Warsinski scored his second goal of the year off of a pair of quick passes by forwards Richard Joyce and Luc Harrington. Harrington collected the ball on the far sideline and crossed it to Joyce, who flicked it to a wide-open Warsinski about 20-yards out.
UCR held on to the lead despite being out shot in the first period, 12-2. They added their second goal in the 50th minute as Luc Harrington scored his first goal on a header off a free kick by Jordan Arias. The kick followed a yellow card to UNLV's Kevin Lunkwitz.
But UNLV saved their best for last, as Kelly Frederick halved the lead at 80:28, knocking in a shot far post after a UNLV corner kick went off a UCR defender.
Frederick struck again moments later, feeding a cross to Brendon Bain that he headed past UCR keeper Brett Bentley to tie the score at 2-2 in the 83rd minute.
Frederick wasn't through, flicking the ball to Jason Melendez, who put it past Bentley in the 89th minute to give UNLV the lead for good.
The Rebels out shot the Highlanders 30-6 in the match. Bentley recorded 12 saves in 90 minutes of play

USD Holds on to Defeat UCR, 2-1
(Sept. 30, 2001) - The 12th-ranked University of San Diego men's soccer team improved to 6-1 on the season with a 2-1 win over the visiting UC Riverside Highlanders (0-7-1).
UCR trailed 2-0 late in the match when Kyle Warsinski beat the Torero defense up the right side and scored to the left post by goalie Justin Neerhof in the 86th minute.
USD out shot the Highlanders 36-5 and jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 32nd minute when junior forward Ryan Coiner scored on a break-away up the middle, lobbing the ball from 20 yards out over UCR goalie Alex Keough, who was making his first start of the year. Coiner, who netted his 6th goal of the season, was assisted by Tyler Conley. San Diego's second goal came forty seconds later when Scott Burcar blasted one in from 15 yards out straight on as he was assisted by Kellen Hiroto.
Aztecs defeat UC Riverside, 3-2
(Sept. 28, 2001) The UC Riverside Highlanders men's soccer team mounted a late rally, but was unable to overcome a 3-0 deficit, falling to host San Diego State 3-2 at the SDSU Sports Deck Friday.
SDSU got on the board early when junior Enrique Tovar converted on a penalty kick at 17:44. In the 45th minute freshman Paul Szefler converted a pass by junior Tyler Tinling for a 2-0 advantage. Freshman Eric Wohl gave the Aztecs another point at the 54-minute mark. His score was assisted by junior Ryan Cook.
The Highlanders refused to roll over, scoring twice in the final 20 minutes. Freshman J.J. Fritsch tallied his first goal of the year at 71:43 and Juan Gutierrez converted a penalty kick with 90 seconds remaining in the match to make the score 3-2.

Titans Defeat Highlanders, 2-0
(September 26, 2001) - The UC Riverside Highlanders lost their fifth game of the year on Wednesday, losing to Cal State Fullerton in the first Big West match of the season. Fullerton is now 3-2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big West.
The match was scoreless until the 79th minute when Hector Orellana put in a spinning chip shot from about 25 yards out. Brent Whitfield knocked in a rebound of a Jyrki Kylaheiko shot in the 88th minute for the final margin of victory.
UCR goalkeeper Brent Bentley had 11 saves as Fullerton out shot the Highlanders 30-7.
UCR had its best scoring chance in the 42nd minute when Randy O'Brien's one-on-one attempt was blocked by Titan 'keeper Jeff McKeever. O'Brien's rebound attempt went over the crossbar.

Loyola Marymount Defeats UC Riverside, 4-0
(September 18, 2001) - Loyola Marymount University handed the UC Riverside Highlanders men's soccer team their fourth loss of the season and ruined their home opener with a 4-0 victory at the San Bernardino Blast Soccer Complex Tuesday.
Lion goaltender Dan Sheridan faced eight shots and made four saves as he handed the Highlanders (0-4-1) their fourth shutout loss of the season.
Arturo Torres opened the scoring in the 17th minute on a free kick from about 20 yards out on the left side. He beat goaltender Brett Bentley up high, squeezing it between the crossbar and Bentley's outstretched hand.
The Lions opened the scoring in the second half in the 50th minute as Armando Mendez took a feed from Rigo Pardo and sped down the middle, beating Bentley at the far post. Two minutes later the Lions' Torres struck again, heading in a rebound of a shot by Jeff Kovar.
LMU took advantage of another Highlander miscue in the 62 minute as Andres Murriagui converted a free kick just outside the box following a UCR foul.
Jordan Arias led the Highlanders with three shots. In all, the Lions outshot the Highlanders, 19-8. Bentley recorded eight saves in the loss.

Highlanders Tie Hornets, 1-1
(September 9, 2001) - The Highlanders snapped a three-game scoreless streak on junior forward Richard Joyce's goal, then held on to tie the Sacramento State Hornets, 1-1 in Sacramento Sunday.
Joyce scored off of a free kick in the 54th minute, giving the Highlanders their first goal and lead of the season. But the Hornets scored nine minutes later as Joel Rodriguez tallied his first goal of the season off a pass by Hjalti Kristajansson. Neither team could score in the remaining 27 minutes of regulation or the 30 minutes of overtime.
The tie broke the Highlanders' three game losing streak. The Hornets (1-1-1) out shot the Highlanders (0-3-1), 21-11. UCR freshman goalkeeper Brett Bentley made five saves in the match.
Highlanders Lose to SJSU, 3-0
(September 7, 2001) - The Highlanders fell to 0-3 on the young season with a 3-0 loss at San Jose State Friday.
Lars Lyssand scored two goals and had one assist as the Spartans shutout UCR for the third time this season.
Lyssand scored his first goal early in the first half on an assist from Frank Sanfilippo 3:19 into the game. The Spartan's Frank Mata added to the lead with a goal at 29:17 off a Lyssand assist. In the second half, Mata returned the favor when Lyssand scored his second goal off Mata's assist at 57:22.
The Highlanders had two shots on goal compared to 18 by the Spartans. Goalkeeper Brett Bentley made five saves. San Jose State goalkeeper Gilbert Vega was credited with the shutout.

Air Force Beats Highlanders, 1-0
(September 2, 2001) - UC Riverside fell to 0-2 on the season with a hard fought 1-0 loss to the Air Force Academy at the Fila Tournament at Loyola Marymount Sunday.
Defender Mike Alfaro scored the match's only goal in the 42nd minute off an assist by Marcus Sagastume.
UCR freshman goalkeeper Brett Bentley faced 11 shots and made seven saves. Mike Brophy had one save on five Highlander shots.
Freshman forward Randy O'Brien led the Highlanders with a pair of shots.

Highlanders Fall to Bulldogs in Opener, 5-0
(August 31, 2001) - The debut of the UC Riverside Men's Soccer team was a little rougher than they had hoped, as Nat Gonzalez's charges fell to Fresno State 5-0 in a non-conference match at Loyola Marymount on Friday.
The match started poorly as the Highlanders surrendered the first goal of the game on an own goal 54 seconds in. Eddie Gutierrez, Kupono Low, Noah Delgado and Mat Herold added first period goals to give the Bulldogs a 5-0 lead. Jordan Arias led the Highlanders with two of their four shots.
Highlanders' goalkeeper Brett Brentley faced 11 shots on goal and made seven saves. Jeremy Proud earned the shutout for Fresno State.

Pieces Falling Into Place as Highlanders Sign Players for First Team
UC Riverside Head Men's Soccer Coach Nat Gonzalez announced the following student-athletes had signed national letters of intent and will be joining the Highlander program for its inaugural campaign in the Fall of 2001.
Kyle Warsinski - Forward - 6-3 - La Habra, CA (Sonora HS)
All-League & All CIF honors in 2000, Club League Champions.
Michael Reighter - Defender - 6-1 - Pomona, CA (Diamond Ranch HS)
All-League honors, Club National Semifinalist
Juan Gutierrez - Midfielder - 5-10 - Santa Ana, CA (Mater Dei HS)
Member of ODP State team
Michael Williams - Defender - 6-1 - Los Angeles, CA (Loyola HS)
1999 Reebok All-American & All-League Honors. Club team won four consecutive state championships.
Jonathan "J.J." Fritsch - Midfielder - 5-4 - Temecula, CA (Chapparal HS)
All-CIF honors, League MVP
Cory Craig - Defender - 5-10 - Redlands, CA (Redlands E. Valley HS)
All-League honors, Scholar Athlete honors, Club National Semifinalist
Steven Vasquez - Defender - 5-11 - Corona, CA (Corona)
All-League honors, Scholar Athlete Honors
Brett Bentley - Goalkeeper - Phoenix, AZ (Desert Vista HS)
Member of the 2000 Olympic Development Regional team. Selected All State for high school in his position.
Jeff Pusey - Defender - Alta Loma, CA (Alta Loma HS)
Member of same club team as Michael Reighter and Cory Craig. 2nd team All Mt. Baldy League.
Ben Davies - Midfielder - Alta Loma, CA (Alta Loma HS)
Played on same club team as Jeff Pusey. 1st team All Mt. Baldy League.
Jordan Arias - Midfielder - Palm Springs, CA (Palm Springs HS)
Same club team as Jeff Pusey. First team All League honoree.
Filiberto Mares - Midfielder - Hawthorne, CA (El Camino College)
Reached Semifinals in 2001 for JC So. Calif. Championship.
The University of California, Riverside will be competing in the Big West Conference.