Highlanders Ink 10 to NLI for 2006-07

(May 12, 2006) - UC Riverside has signed ten players to National Letters of Intent, UCR Head Men’s Soccer Coach Junior Gonzalez announced Friday. The incoming players are an eclectic group that includes one Youth National Team Pool player, five club teammates, and two transfer students.

Five of the signees were teammates on the Alta Loma Arsenal U18 club team that won the 2004 US Club Soccer National Championship as well as the 2004 and 2005 Dallas Cup titles. Zach Walker, Michael Galland, Jeffrey Mowdy, Jeremy Clay, and Scott Dailey will be able to fit right in at UCR, having already played together for several seasons.

Walker, a central midfielder, was the Baseline League MVP his final two seasons at Alta Loma High School. The 5-9 Walker was also named First Team All-CIF his junior and senior years in helping the Braves to three league championships and four CIF berths in his high school career.

Galland is a versatile athlete who could feature at both forward and defender for the Highlanders. A six-footer from Claremont High School, Galland scored 18 goals and added 10 assists as a senior for the Wolfpack, earning First Team All-Inland Valley and Second Team All-CIF honors. Galland also was a three-time all-league player in soccer and football.

A left-back from Bonita High School in La Verne, Mowdy was a four-time All-Miramonte League player and earned First Team All-CIF honors as a junior.

Arriving from A.B. Miller High School in Fontana where he was a scholar athlete, the six-foot Clay was a First Team All-Inland Valley player in 2005 and 2006, in addition to being named First Team All-Citrus Belt League as a forward.

The last of the Alta Loma Arsenal players, Scott Dailey earned All-Serra League honors in each of his four seasons at Damien High School in San Dimas, including a spot on the first team in his junior and senior seasons. The team Most Valuable Player in 2005, he was also named to the All-San Gabriel Valley and All-Los Angeles Times Teams.

Another forward, Cito Soriano was the Mojave River League Most Valuable Player and named All-CIF. He was on the 2005 All-San Bernardino County team and a member of the Youth National Team Pool, as well as participating on the Olympic Development Program (ODP) state and regional teams. He is the first National Pool player to sign with UCR.

Nathan Paterson comes to UCR from Grace Davis High School in Modesto, where he was a two-time team MVP and the 2005 Modesto Metropolitan Conference MVP. A member of the All-District team, he earned all-conference awards in three seasons in soccer while also winning three individual league championships in track.

A 6-2 goalkeeper, Ryan Schmitz starred at Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, where he earned First Team All-Palomar League honors in his junior and senior seasons. A four-year ODP player, he posted seven shutouts as a junior and eight as a senior. He was also named to the San Diego Union-Tribune All-Academic team in both 2004-05 and 2005-06.

Jeffrey Meyer transfers to UCR after an outstanding career at Rio Hondo Community College. Meyer was the Foothill Conference Most Valuable Player in 2004 and 2005. A 6-2 defender, he helped lead the Roadrunners to back-to-back league championships and the 2005 state semi-finals. Meyer graduated from Alta Loma High School, where he earned First Team All-Foothill Conference honors in 2002 and 2003.

The final member of the contingent, David Lozano, adds even more height to the back line as another 6-2 defender. Lozano was at Cal State Los Angeles last season but did not play due to a medical redshirt. While at Dana Hills High School, he was the team MVP in 2003 and 2004 and was first team all-league in those years.

The 2005 UCR men’s soccer team finished the season with a 6-12-1 overall record and was fourth in the Big West Conference with a record of 4-6. The Highlanders lost four seniors and have 16 players returning next season.

Highlanders Picked Fourth in Big West Preseason Coaches Poll

(August 18, 2006) - UC Riverside has been selected to finish fourth by the coaches in the 2006 Big West Conference Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll, it was announced Friday. It is the highest preseason spot ever for the Highlanders, who received 14 total votes.

UCR went 6-12-1 in 2005, including a 4-6-0 record in Big West play, good enough for fourth place. The Highlanders return 13 letterwinners and seven starters from that squad, including All-Big West Honorable Mention sophomore forward Kyle Ochoa.

UC Santa Barbara earned 33 points, including four first-place votes, to claim the top spot. The Gauchos were followed by defending champion Cal State Northridge, who gained 29 points and one first-place vote. UC Irvine was third with 27 points and one first-place vote. Cal State Fullerton (12 points) and Cal Poly (11 points) round out the poll.

Highlanders Fall to Beavers 2-1 in Season Opener

(August 25, 2006) - UC Riverside held tough but was defeated 2-1 by hosts Oregon State Friday night in the season opener for both teams at the Diadora Classic in Corvallis, OR.

Bryan Jordan got the Beavers’ season off to a good start, as he scored the opening goal in just the fourth minute. Matt Bowman sent a long ball up the field from his position at right back. Jordan, positioned about eight yards in front of the left post, headed it toward the goal. UC Riverside junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo nearly knocked it away, but didn’t get enough of the ball to stop it from going over his head and into the back of the net.

Though OSU kept the pressure on UC Riverside in the first half, it was the Highlanders that made OSU pay on a defensive miscue. Junior forward Andrew Villalobos sent a cross in from the right side, finding the head of freshman defender Nathan Paterson, who thundered a header past OSU goalkeeper Packy Deenihan for a 1-1 tie in the 35th minute.

In the 66th minute, the Beavers struck again, and it turned out to be the game-winner. Ryan Callahan sent in a free kick from near the midfield stripe. The ball was deflected by a UCR defender right to Alex Christensen, who was positioned near the right post. Despite a difficult angle, Christensen headed the ball inside the left post for a 2-1 lead.

UC Riverside’s hopes for a comeback took a big hit when senior midfielder Erasmo Solorzano received his second yellow card and was sent off in the 82nd minute.

The Beavers ended up outshooting the Highlanders 12-5. Alamo made one save while Deenihan was not forced to make any.

Spartans Down Highlanders 2-1 in Final Minute of Double Overtime

(August 26, 2006) - Michigan State's Louis Stephens scored with 46 seconds remaining in the second overtime period as the Spartans sent UC Riverside to its second consecutive 2-1 defeat in the Diadora Classic Saturday night in Corvallis, OR. The Highlanders fall to 0-2 to start the season while MSU improves to 2-0, with both victories coming in overtime.

Chances were sparse for UCR in overtime as the Highlanders did not get off a shot. Still, their defense held tough, with junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo making two saves in the second overtime to keep the score tied at 1-1. It stayed that way until the final minute, when MSU's Doug DeMartin chipped the ball into the penalty area, where Stephens ran on to it and squeezed his shot inside of the left post for the game-winner with just 46 seconds remaining.

After a scoreless first half, MSU opened the scoring in the 54th minute when Kenzo Webster beat the Highlander offside trap to put the Spartans ahead 1-0. For the second day in a row, however, UCR fought back, nearly drawing level in the 65th minute as junior midfielder Andrew Hills fired a free kick low to the left post, only to see MSU goalie Jason Tillman turn it away.

The Highlanders would get their equalizer two minutes later. Junior forward Andrew Villalobos crossed from the left, finding junior midfielder Brandon Plummer. Plummer's first-time shot beat Tillman for his first career goal.

UCR was outshot 16-8 but Alamo kept the Highlanders in the game with seven saves. Tillman stopped two shots for the Spartans.

Solorzano's Pair Lifts UCR to 2-1 Home Opener Win Over UNLV

(August 29, 2006) - UC Riverside senior midfielder Erasmo Solorzano scored twice, including the game-winner with 3:28 remaining, as the Highlanders posted a 2-1 victory over visiting UNLV Tuesday in their home opener at UCR Soccer Stadium. The Highlanders gain their first win of the season to improve to 1-2-0 while dropping the Rebels to 0-2-0.

The only senior in UCR’s starting lineup, Solorzano could not have picked a better time to record his first career two-goal game. After opening the scoring at 19:02 with a curling free kick, he netted the game-winner in the dying minutes. Junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo started the move, finding sophomore defender David Watson on a long throw out from defense. Watson passed to junior midfielder Andrew Villalobos, who dissected the Rebel defense at a full sprint. From just outside the penalty area, he found a cutting Solorzano, who took one touch before firing low past UNLV goalie Brett Hafeman. In one day, Solorzano doubled his career goal total while Villalobos got his third assist of the season.

UCR had most of the run of play but could never put the determined Rebels away. Solorzano gave the Highlanders the lead in the 20th minute when he curled a right-footed free kick from 24 yards into the lower right corner.

The Highlanders looked like they had secured a lead at halftime but UNLV drew level just before the break. Alamo produced a fine diving save off a rocket from Nicholas Paterson, turning it over for a corner. From the ensuing kick, Paterson found the head of Hakim Zermouni, whose header beat Alamo for the equalizer at 43:24.

UCR had two chances to go ahead in the second half. Solorzano almost gave UCR the lead in the 54th minute when his point-blank shot was pushed onto the crossbar by Hafeman. In the 72nd minute, freshman forward Jeremy Clay ripped a left-footed shot that barely grazed the outside of the post. After Solorzano’s second goal, UNLV had one last opportunity but Alamo pawed out a free kick from Paterson to preserve the win.

Alamo made four saves while Hafeman stopped two for UNLV. The win gives UCR a 3-2 all-time advantage against the Rebels, having won three in a row.

Erasmo Solorzano Named Big West Player of the Week

(Sept. 5, 2006) - UC Riverside senior midfielder Erasmo Solorzano has been selected the Big West Conference’s Player of the Week for August 28-September 3, the conference office announced Monday. This is Solorzano’s first career Player of the Week award.

Solorzano (Riverside, CA/Riverside Poly HS) proved the difference last Tuesday in the Highlanders’ first victory of the season. The senior scored both goals, including the game-winner with 3:28 remaining, as UCR won its home opener, 2-1 over UNLV. After opening the scoring in a curling free kick in the 20th minute, he then netted the game-winner in the 86th minute after slicing through the Rebel defense.

Solorzano's two strikes marked the first time in his career that he had a multi-goal game as well as doubled his career goal total. He is the first Highlander to net two goals in a game since Scott Barnett achieved the feat on October 30, 2004 against UC Davis, tying the school single-game record.

Solorzano is the first Highlander to receive the Big West Conference Player of the Week award this season and is the first men’s soccer player to earn the accolade since Kyle Ochoa for October 10-16, 2005.

Short-handed Highlanders Battle Past Aztecs, 3-2

(Sept. 6, 2006) - UC Riverside twice came back from a goal down and survived a second-half red card to beat visiting San Diego State 3-2 on Wednesday afternoon at the UCR Soccer Stadium. The Highlanders win their second straight to improve to 2-2-0 while dropping the Aztecs to 2-2-0 and their second consecutive defeat.

With the score tied at 2-2, UCR went a man down in the 60th minute when sophomore forward Joel Crompton picked up his second yellow card. Still, the Highlanders kept pushing forward and were rewarded just six minutes later. Junior midfielder Andrew Villalobos drove a low shot into the penalty area but it was saved by SDSU goalkeeper Tally Hall. The ball rebounded out to freshman midfielder Xavier Perez, who tapped it to freshman forward Nathan Paterson inside the six-yard box. Paterson knocked in his second goal of the season before Hall could recover.

San Diego State had twice taken the lead in the first half, only to see UCR fight back each time. Andrew DiCicco gave the Aztecs the lead just 2:07 into the match, latching on to a long pass from Dennis Sanchez and lobbing the ball over UCR goalie Charles Alamo for the 1-0 lead.
Crompton struck back for the Highlanders at 9:17 with his first goal of the year by capitalizing on another rebound. Villalobos provided a low cross to Paterson, whose left-footed one-time shot was saved by Hall but fell right to Crompton. All Crompton was left with the easiest of tap-ins to draw the sides level.

With both teams playing a direct style, opportunities were plenty and it was SDSU who took advantage. In the 26th minute, Matt Lemire delivered a cross from the right side to Freddy McDonald, who directed a header past Alamo and into the upper right corner of the goal to give the lead back to the Aztecs.

The Highlanders needed all of 98 seconds to strike back again, equalizing through the nifty play of three freshmen. Forward Zack Walker found Paterson on the edge of the penalty area and, with his back to goal, Paterson slid a through-ball to an on-running Michael Galland. Despite a tough angle near the right touchline, Galland fired past Hall and into the roof of the net for his first career goal.

Both teams seemed evenly matched through the game until Crompton’s red card with 30 minutes left. The Aztecs outshot UCR 10-3 in the second half but it was UCR who was able to find the net. SDSU had one clear opportunity to equalize in the dying minutes. With three minutes left and UCR holding all its players back to defend, Kraig Chiles hit a rocket that Alamo managed to parry. The ball fell to McDonald but his follow-up smashed off the post and UCR cleared.

Alamo stopped four shots for the Highlanders to ensure UCR of a perfect 2-0 home stand. Hall also made four saves. The Aztecs held a 17-11 shot advantage while UCR committed 28 fouls to SDSU’s 14.

Highlanders Sting Hornets for Third Straight Win

(Sept. 8, 2006) - Sophomore Aaron Hunter scored his first career goal to lift UC Riverside to its third straight win, 2-1 over Sacramento State, in the opening match of the St. Mary's Classic in Sacramento, CA. The Highlanders improve to 3-2-0 and the Hornets fall to 1-4-0.

With the game knotted at 1-1, UC Riverside was allotted a free kick just outside the Hornet penalty box in the 63rd minute. Senior midfielder Erasmo Solorzano found Hunter open at the back post with a header that dipped under the crossbar and out of the grasp of Sacramento State goalkeeper Nick Gargiulo. It was Hunter's first career goal.

The Highlanders took the lead in the 11th minute when freshman forward Nathan Peterson volleyed in a cross at the right post from junior midfielder Brandon Plummer for his third goal of the season. The Hornets responded late in the half with a goal from Eliot Ricks-Chambers. Ricks-Chambers received a ball over the top of the defense from David Lopez and sent a quick shot to the near post that was saved by Highlander junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo. The deflection fell to Ricks-Chambers, who drove his second attempt to the back of the net.

After Hunter's go-ahead goal, the Hornets pushed for the equalizer, with freshman Shelby Johnson missing narrowly on two headers in the last 15 minutes of the match.

Alamo stopped five shots in goal for UCR while Gargiulo made three saves.

The Highlanders' current three-game winning streak is the program's longest since it won three straight from Sept. 9-19, 2004.

Highlanders Fall to St. Mary's, 4-2

(Sept. 10, 2006) - The Saint Mary's men's soccer team exploded for four goals, including three in the second half, to pull away from the UC Riverside Highlanders 4-2 Sunday morning at Garaventa Field in Moraga, CA. The loss snaps the Highlanders' three-game winning streak to drop them to 3-3-0 while the Gaels improve to 2-2-2 on the year.

Four different Gaels recorded goals as SMC turned around a 1-1 halftime tie. David Blanchard opened the scoring with a one-touch far-post goal after Matthew Fitzgerald broke away from the Highlander defense and slipped the ball to the far post run of Blanchard at the 30-minute mark. Two minutes later UCR evened the score when junior midfielder Andrew Villalobos (Whittier, CA) cleaned up a loose ball off a corner and drilled a far post shot for the goal to send the teams into the locker room even at the half. Freshman forward Jeremy Clay (Fontana, CA) was credited with the assist.

In the 52nd minute, Alex Christlieb tallied his first goal of the season and handed SMC a 2-1 advantage. Christlieb found the end of a Carlos Diaz throw in, turning his header into the far post for the goal.

Again, the Highlanders refused to crumble, answering back at the 63-minute mark. Junior defender Ben Oliver (Chula Vista, CA) collected a SMC clearance and drilled a 45-yard blast that sailed over Gael goalkeeper Brian Mason for the equalizer.

But two minutes later SMC would grab the game for good. Guillermo Trujillo buried a volley off a loose ball from 18-yards out for the game-winner. With two minutes left in the contest, Dylan Leslie tallied his first career goal on a penalty kick.

Junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) made three saves in the loss. Brian Mason stopped one shot for SMC.

Second Half Surge Leads Toreros Past UCR, 3-1

(Sept. 12, 2006) - The University of San Diego scored three goals in the second half, including two in the last ten minutes, to beat visiting UC Riverside 3-1 on Tuesday afternoon at Torero Stadium. The loss drops the Highlanders to 3-4-0 while the Toreros improve to 3-1-0.

A goalless first half gave way to four second-half goals. USD's Nick Leonard opened the scoring at 49:51, taking a pass from Dustin Guerrero at the top of the penalty box. UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo dove but could not get a hand on the shot as the ball flew past him and into the net for a 1-0 lead. San Diego continued on the offensive and scored twice in the space of 67 seconds to put the game out of reach.

In the 81st minute, Guerrero again played provider, crossing a ball into the box from the left side to Tannen Wels, whose shot from inside the penalty box beat Alamo for a 2-0 lead. As UCR pushed forward, San Diego capitalized on a counterattack. Adam Mariani passed a ball from midfield to Ciaran O'Brien, who was streaking up the near side of the field past the Riverside defense. Alamo charged but O'Brien lofted a shot over the goalkeeper's head and into the back corner of the goal for a 3-0 lead.

The frantic final ten minutes saw the Highlanders pull back a consolation goal at 84:10 as junior defender Ben Oliver (Chula Vista, CA) connected off a corner kick from junior midfielder Steven Kaufman (Encinitas, CA). It was Oliver's second goal in as many games. UCR had two more chances in the final five minutes but could not cut any more off the lead.

Riverside recorded six total shots and three corner kicks to the Toreros' 14 shots and two corner kicks. Alamo finished with two saves in the match while USD goalie Lance Friese was not called upon to make a save.

UCR takes a week off after four games in seven days in which it went 2-2-0.

Highlanders Continue to Stifle Matadors, 1-1

(Sept. 20, 2006) - UC Riverside flummoxed defending Big West Conference champions Cal State Northridge by battling the Matadors to a 1-1 double overtime tie in the teams' Big West Conference opener Wednesday afternoon at Matador Soccer Field. The Highlanders snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 3-4-1, 0-0-1 while CSUN moves to 2-3-2, 0-0-1.

The last four meetings between UCR and CSUN had all been decided by one goal or fewer and this game was no exception. Both teams had their chances in the early going but it was the Highlanders who got on the board first. The ball settled to the middle of the box following a throw-in by UC Riverside, and after it bounced around, fell to the foot of freshman forward Jeremy Clay (Fontana, CA), who beat CSUN goalkeeper Kevin Guppy to the left post from 12 yards out for his first career goal at 21:39.

The Matadors went on the offensive for the remainder of the first half but it was UCR junior keeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) who kept Northridge off the scoreboard with five saves in the first 45 minutes. Along with two stops on Taylor Canel, Alamo's biggest save in the first half came on Sunghyun Kim. Taking a feed from Canel at the top of the box, Kim tried to go far post to beat Alamo but the Highlanders' netminder just got his hand on the ball to deflect it away from the goal to keep UCR in the lead.

Clay almost put the Highlanders up 2-0 in the 56th minute but Dylan Riley cleared a header from Clay before the ball could cross the line.

The Matadors would get the equalizer in the 77th minute. With players battling for the ball in the box, it popped out to Borak, who fired one to the top left corner past Alamo to even the game at 76:51.

Northridge had four more chances in the first overtime but none better than an attempt by Kim in the 97th minute. Alamo again kept the Matador freshman off the scoreboard with a nice save. It would be the best opportunity for both teams in the extra sessions as the squads settled for the draw.

The match was very physical and featured 39 fouls and 10 yellow cards. Northridge outshot UC Riverside 24-13. Guppy made five saves in net. For the Highlanders, Alamo stopped eight shots in goal.

The tie snaps the Matadors' 12-game home conference winning streak and is the fifth double overtime game and fourth tie between UCR and CSUN. UCR also halted a three-game losing streak against Northridge.

Anteaters Down Highlanders, 4-0

(Sept. 23, 2006) - UC Riverside could not overcome an early deficit and was defeated 4-0 by visiting UC Irvine in a Big West Conference match in front of 213 fans Saturday afternoon at the UCR Soccer Stadium. The Highlanders fall to 3-5-1, 1-0-0 Big West, while the Anteaters improve to 6-1-0, 1-0-0.

A shell-shocked UCR found itself trailing 2-0 within the opening 14 minutes. In the 10th minute, an aerial collision led to a penalty for the Anteaters. UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) guessed correctly but could not stop Brad Evans’ spot-kick from finding the lower right corner of the net. Just four minutes later, Evans made it 2-0. Kevin Santora lobbed a pass to Evans at the edge of the penalty area. Evans chipped the ball over UCR sophomore defender Doug Thrasher (Las Vegas, NV) before slotting home from 18 yards out at 13:53.

UCI almost increased its lead but the Highlanders cleared off the line in the 22nd minute and were saved by the post in the 37th. UCR had its chances, as well, as senior midfielder Erasmo Solorzano (Riverside, CA) forced UCI goalie Kenny Schoeni into a save in the 39th minute.

The teams played fairly evenly in the second half with UCR coming close to pulling a goal back on two occasions. Solorzano watched his free kick in the 69th minute curl wide and a free kick by junior defender Steven Kaufman (Encinitas, CA) was tipped over by Schoeni.

The Anteaters put the game out of reach with two goals in the final 12 minutes. Anthony Hamilton made it 3-0 at 77:59, knocking in a shot from six yards before Rudy Mondragon caught the UCR defense on a counter-attack to complete the scoring with two minutes left.

Alamo produced four saves in goal for the Highlanders while Schoeni made five saves in handing UCR its first shutout defeat of the season.

Highlanders Fall By the Narrowest of Margins, 1-0

(Sept. 29, 2006) - UC Davis scored the game’s only goal in the 38th minute to defeat host UC Riverside 1-0 Friday afternoon at the UCR Soccer Stadium. The Highlanders drop their second straight match to fall to 3-6-1 while the Aggies improve to 6-4-0.

The decisive goal came at 37:23 on a UC Davis breakaway. Quincy Amarikwa pounced on a high loose ball and beat the UCR defense, firing home from just inside the 18-yard box for his fifth goal of the season.

Both teams had their opportunities to score, with UCD holding a 10-9 shot advantage, although the Highlander defense did well to charge down most of their opposition’s attempts. In the first half, UCR freshman forward Nathan Paterson (Modesto, CA) saw his 20-yard attempt sail just high while freshman forward Jeremy Clay’s (Fontana, CA) long-range effort was tipped over by Aggie goalkeeper Charles Warne. Warne made one save for the visitors.

In the second half, a free kick from junior midfielder Andrew Hills (Loma Linda, CA) went just wide of the right post. Davis’ best chance in the period came on a header by Paul Marcoux that was gathered by UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) for Alamo’s only save of the day.

After eight consecutive games of scoring at least one goal, UCR finds itself in a bit of a dry spell, having been shut out in the last two matches.

Mustangs Record 1-0 Win Over Highlanders

(Oct. 4, 2006) - Cal Poly scored the game's only goal with 12 minutes remaining to knock off UC Riverside 1-0 Wednesday night in San Luis Obispo, CA. The Highlanders drop their third straight match to fall to 3-7-1, 0-2-1 in the Big West Conference while the Mustangs improve to 4-5-3, 1-2-1.

UCR had scored five goals in each of its previous two trips to San Luis Obispo but was stifled on this night by the Mustang defense. The Highlanders outshot Cal Poly 6-5 in the first half but had its best chance, a 15th minute shot by junior midfielder Andrew Hills (Loma Linda, CA), cleared away by a defender.

Cal Poly would break the deadlock at 78:43 as Logan Nicks took a pass from Todd Combs and beat UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA). Alamo made three saves on the night.

Highlander Rally Falls Short at Cal St. Fullerton 4-2

(Oct. 7, 2006) - UC Riverside rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie the game but Cal State Fullerton netted the game-winner in the 76th minute and went on to a 4-2 victory in a Big West Conference match Saturday night at Titan Stadium in Fullerton, CA. The Highlanders drop their fourth straight match to fall to 3-8-1, 0-3-1 in the Big West Conference while the Titans improve to 5-6-3, 1-3-0.

Cal State Fullerton jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute when Skyler Thuresson one-timed a cross from Michael Farfan past UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA). Eugene Brooks doubled the Titan lead at 32:23, collecting a long pass from Amir Shafii and splitting the defense.

Last year, the Titans led 2-0 before UCR rallied for a 3-2 win so it was a feeling of déjà vu when the Highlanders tied it with back-to-back goals in the second half within five minutes of each other. Junior midfielder Andrew Villalobos (Whittier, CA) grabbed a goal back in the 55th minute. Freshman forward Jeremy Clay (Fontana, CA) provided the pass for Villalobos to beat CSUF goalie Kevin Puder for the Highlanders' first goal in four games. It was Villalobos' second goal of the season, setting his new career high.

Five minutes later, freshman forward Michael Galland (Claremont, CA) pulled UCR level with his second goal of the year. Galland gathered a free kick from junior midfielder Andrew Hills (Loma Linda, CA) and volleyed home to complete the comeback.

The score would not remain tied for long as just 16 seconds after the Highlanders drew level, Thuresson handed the lead back to the Titans. A free kick found Brooks, who headed into the penalty area. Thuresson ran on for the game-winner from short range.

Senior defender Josh Valerio (Westminster, CA) came to the rescue twice in the span of three minutes late in the second half, blocking a pair of Titan shots to keep UCR within a goal. But Gabriel Farfan turned in a free kick for an insurance goal at 76:02 with an assist from a Jacob Shumway delivery from outside the area. Farfan had won the free kick after being pulled down outside the box.

UCR was dealt a further blow at 83:36 when Villalobos was issued a red card.

Alamo made seven saves in the loss while Puder stopped five shots for the Titans.

UCR Records Historic Win Over UCSB, 1-0

Box Score

(Oct. 11, 2006) - UC Riverside recorded its first-ever Division I win over UC Santa Barbara, defeating the Gauchos 1-0 Wednesday afternoon in a Big West Conference match in front of a school-record crowd of 576 fans at the UCR Soccer Stadium. The Highlanders gain their first conference victory of the season to improve to 4-8-1, 1-3-1 while UCSB drops to 7-6-0, 3-2-0.

UCR entered the game having never beaten UCSB in 10 meetings at the Division I level but that didn’t scare off the five freshmen in the Highlanders’ starting lineup. The hosts, who had never led in any of those 10 matches against the Gauchos, wasted little time in showing that things would be different this time around, scoring on their first shot. Junior defender Ben Oliver (Chula Vista, CA) sent a ball down the right that freshman forward Michael Galland (Claremont, CA) stepped over to freeze his defender and then ran on to. Galland then sent a first-time cross into the box, where freshman forward Nathan Paterson (Modesto, CA) volleyed it into the net with just 1:15 gone on the clock. It was Paterson’s team-leading fourth goal of the season.

UCSB came close to equalizing four minutes later as Nick Perera hit a shot low to the left of UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA). Alamo got a hand on it to push it off the post. Brennan Tennelle had the next opportunity in the 29th minute on a through-ball but skied his shot high. UCR junior midfielder Andrew Hills (Loma Linda, CA) had a pair of long range efforts saved by Gaucho goalie Kyle Reynish.

Despite being outshot 20-9 for the match, UCR did not sit back on its lead. In the second half, the Highlanders caught the Gauchos on a counterattack. Galland laid the ball back to junior midfielder Steven Kaufman (Encinitas, CA) but his shot was saved by Reynish. Galland later had his own opening but again Reynish was equal to the task.

Alamo came up big in the 65th minute, parrying away a blistering shot from Tino Nunez. Ten minutes later, it was the Highlander defense that came to Alamo’s rescue as freshman defender Scott Dailey (San Dimas, CA) cleared a David Walker effort off the line. The Gauchos would continue to rain shots down on the Highlander goal in the waning minutes but none would cause much trouble as the Highlanders ticked down the clock on their historic victory.

Alamo made six saves to record his first shutout of the season and eighth of his career. Reynish had five saves.

The victory snaps UCR’s seven game winless skid since a 2-1 victory over Sacramento State on September 8. UCR had last defeated UC Santa Barbara 3-2 in Riverside in 1974, when the Highlanders were in Division II and before the program was dropped in 1983 and resurrected in 2001.

UCR Holds Cal State Northridge to 0-0 Draw

(Oct. 14, 2006) - UC Riverside recorded its second tie of the year against Cal State Northridge, 0-0 in double overtime, Saturday afternoon in a Big West Conference match at the UCR Soccer Stadium. The Highlanders move to 4-8-2, 1-3-2 while the Matadors send their record to 5-3-5, 3-0-3.

Coming off their exciting victory Wednesday over UC Santa Barbara, the Highlanders looked for another giant-killing against the league-leading Matadors. The teams had drawn 1-1 in Northridge on September 20 and although this match lacked the goals of the previous meeting, it certainly supplied plenty of drama.

CSUN outshot UCR 11-3 in the first half and had three clear opportunities to take the lead but the UCR defense and a little luck kept it goalless. In the fifth minute, Derek Hanks connected off a corner but it was cleared off the line by sophomore midfielder Doug Thrasher (Las Vegas, NV). A minute later, Sunghyun Kim saw his shot glance off the post, as did Ryan Rossi’s attempt in the 38th minute. The Matadors had a third opportunity on a corner, this time on a cross from Kim. UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) went up but had the ball hit off his gloves. The ball bounced around before it popped up to the head of Ben Cox, who sent it just over the top of the crossbar in the 19th minute.

UCR turned it up in the second half for a few opportunities of its own. Freshman midfielder Zach Walker (Alta Loma, CA) drilled a shot wide from 25 yards in the 75th minute and a minute later, junior defender Ben Oliver (Chula Vista, CA) took a shot from the top-right corner of the box, which deflected off a Matador defender and to goalkeeper Kevin Guppy. Junior midfielder Andrew Villalobos (Whittier, CA) almost gave UCR the lead in spectacular fashion, as his scissors-kick volley from 18 yards missed to the right.

With both teams pushing forward for the victory, chances opened up for a last-gasp winner. Kim found himself wide open in the penalty area in the 89th minute but Alamo went low to his left for the save. When the ball made its way back down the pitch, freshman forward Jeremy Clay (Fontana, CA) charged down a clearance by Guppy and the crowd held its breath as the ricocheted clearance rolled just wide.

In the overtime period, Alamo pulled off a double save from Devin Deldo and Ryan Rossi. Chad Borak then had his header cleared off the line by sophomore defender Aaron Hunter (Pomona, CA) in the final minute.

Alamo made four saves for his second consecutive shutout while Guppy stopped one shot for CSUN. The Matadors held a 21-9 shot advantage and 8-1 on corners.

Alamo Wins Conference, National Honors

(Oct. 16, 2006) - UC Riverside junior goalkeepr Charles Alamo has been selected the Big West Conference’s Player of the Week for October 9-15, the conference office announced Monday. This is Alamo’s first career Player of the Week award. Alamo was also named to the SoccerAmerica.com Team of the Week for the first time.

Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA/San Luis Obispo HS) picked the right week to post his first and second shutouts of the season, doing so against the top two teams in the conference. On Wednesday, Alamo stared down 20 shots from UC Santa Barbara but blanked the Gauchos for the Highlanders’ first-ever victory over UCSB at the Division I level (snapping a 10-game losing streak) and first win against UCSB since 1974. It also halted UCR’s seven-game stretch without a victory this season.

He followed that up on Saturday with four saves and another shutout against league-leaders Cal State Northridge in a 0-0 tie. Alamo faced 21 shots from the Matadors but recorded his ninth career shutout. His biggest save of the game came in the 89th minute, when he stopped a one-on-one opportunity.

Alamo is already the Highlanders’ career leader in wins (15), shutouts (nine), minutes played (3,944:03), and saves (205). His 59 saves this season are fourth on UCR's single season record list and his 1,319:14 minutes played is third.

Anteaters Hold Off Highlanders, 2-0

(Oct. 18, 2006) - UC Riverside saw its two-game unbeaten run come to an end, falling 2-0 at #26 UC Irvine in a Big West Conference match Wednesday night at Anteater Stadium. The Highlanders drop to 4-9-2, 1-4-2 while the Anteaters improve to 10-3-2, 4-2-0.

After shutting out the top two teams in the conference last week, UCR needed another strong defensive effort against the Anteaters. UCI entered the game leading the conference in scoring and had beaten the Highlanders 4-0 three weeks ago in Riverside. This time around, the Highlanders held the Anteaters scoreless in the first half and created the first chance of the game when freshman forward Nathan Paterson (Modesto, CA) forced UCI goalkeeper Kenny Schoeni into a save after just 11 minutes.

UCR was dealt a double blow within 15 minutes of the start of the second half. In the 49th minute, sophomore forward Joel Crompton (Pleasanton, CA) received his second yellow card of the match, causing the Highlanders to play a man down for the remaining 41 minutes. It took the Anteaters nine minutes to make their man advantage count, as Matt Murphy took a pass from Rafael Macedo and beat UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) inside the left post from 25 yards at 57:04.

Within a minute of the Anteaters' goal, Paterson almost pulled the Highlanders level but a UCI defender came in to clear the ball before it crossed the line.

As UCR pushed forward looking for a late equalizer, UCI would instead double its lead. Macedo found Sean Harvey on the left side and Harvey scored into an empty net with four seconds remaining.

The Big West's saves leader, Alamo stopped five shots. Shoeni made one save for the hosts.

Aggies Down Highlanders, 2-0

(Oct. 25, 2006) - UC Davis scored twice in the second half to defeat UC Riverside 2-0 in a non-conference game at Aggie Soccer Stadium Wednesday afternoon in Davis, CA. The Aggies sweep the season series from the Highlanders to improve to 9-6-2 on the season while the Highlanders fall to 4-10-2.

On a gusty day in which winds topped 30 miles per hour, the first half saw many shots blown off target. With the wind at their backs in the second half, the Highlanders outshot the Aggies 7-6 but could not take advantage. Senior defender Josh Valerio (Westminster, CA) and freshman defender Jeff Mowdy (La Verne, CA) each fired attempts on goal in the early going. Valerio sent a low ball that two-hopped Aggie goalkeeper Charles Warne before coming to rest in the keeper's hands. Warne later punched out a loose ball deep into the midfield, which Mowdy corralled and sent back toward the UC Davis net. Warne again made the save, his second of three in the contest.

The Aggies finally broke the seal at the 55:16 mark when Russ Brown delivered a ball from the midfield to Paul Marcoux, just above the penalty box. Marcoux advanced to approximately the 16-yard line, then blasted a shot into the lower right corner of the Riverside net. UC Davis nearly added a second goal in the 67th minute as sophomore Ian Conklin, advancing up the left flank, centered a cross to freshman Chris Leer. Leer's shot slammed off the left post and the Highlanders successfully cleared the ball to end the Aggie threat.

Leer found redemption in the 82nd minute when his pass hopped over the Riverside defense and found Quincy Amarikwa on the left side of the penalty box. Amarikwa finished the scoring play for his ninth goal of the season.

UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) finished with six saves in the contest.

Highlanders Snap Winless Streak at Three, 2-0 Over Cal Poly

(Oct. 28, 2006) - UC Riverside got goals in each half to defeat visiting Cal Poly 2-0 in a Big West Conference match Saturday afternoon at the UCR Soccer Stadium. The Highlanders improve to to 5-10-2, 2-4-2 in the Big West while the Mustangs suffer just their second defeat in seven matches to drop to 7-7-4, 3-4-2.

UCR entered the game having not scored in over 400 minutes but came out of the gates with energy and determination, sending two shots on the Mustang goal in the first seven minutes. That effort was rewarded after 15 minutes on an outstanding solo effort from freshman forward Robert Cate (Alameda, CA). Making just his third career start, Cate picked the ball up in an attacking position and split two defenders to advance into the penalty area. His finish was nothing short of clinical, beating Cal Poly goalkeeper Eric Branagan-Franco from six yards for his first career goal.

Cal Poly had won the teams’ earlier meeting this season, 1-0 in San Luis Obispo on October 4, and pushed forward for the equalizer. UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) kept out his hometown school, however, denying Dominic Papa and K.J. Lenehan before halftime.

The Highlanders had a chance to make it 2-0 before the break when freshman forward Nathan Paterson (Modesto, CA) busted through the Mustang defense. With just the keeper to beat, Paterson pushed his effort wide.

Although Cal Poly held an 11-9 shot advantage for the game, it was UCR who controlled the tempo and their crisp passing was the key to the second goal. Junior midfielder Andrew Villalobos (Whittier, CA) provided the build up through the middle before sending a ball out wide on the right to freshman forward Michael Galland (Claremont, CA). Galland sidestepped his defender to the byline and cut back a low cross towards the penalty area. Junior midfielder Brandon Plummer (Huntington Beach, CA) arrived in time to send a one-touch right-footed shot into the lower left corner. Branagan-Franco got a hand to it but could not keep it out as Plummer celebrated his second goal of the season.

The Highlander defense kept the Mustangs at bay for the remainder of the game and Alamo had only to make two first-half saves for his third shutout of the season and 10th of his career. Branagan-Franco did not stop a shot in taking the loss.

Titans Pull Away Late vs. Highlanders On Senior Day, 4-2

(Nov. 1, 2006) - Junior midfielder Brandon Plummer netted his first career two-goal game as UC Riverside rallied from a two-goal deficit against Cal State Fullerton, but it was not enough as the Titans posted a 4-2 victory Wednesday afternoon at the UCR Soccer Stadium. The Highlanders fall to 5-11-2, 2-5-2 in the Big West Conference while the Titans improve to 6-11-2, 2-7-0.

UCR was the better team through much of the game, raining down a school-record 26 shots on the Fullerton goal. The Highlanders started off strong, with freshman midfielder Zach Walker (Alta Loma, CA) firing just wide on a pair of attempts in the opening few minutes. Freshman forward Robert Cate (Alameda, CA) also had a header skirt wide of the target.

The Highlanders registered the game’s first four shots but it was Fullerton who took the lead on its first attack in the 22nd minute. Jacob Shumway played a low cross from the left that pinballed around the UCR penalty area. It fell to Eugene Brooks, whose left-footed shot from the penalty spot found the upper corner.

Brooks made it 2-0 at 33:57 on a spectacular solo effort. After a Titan cross was headed away, Brooks chested the ball down and hit a half-volley with the outside of his left foot from 22 yards. UCR junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) could only watch as the ball swerved inside the far post.

It took Plummer (Huntington Beach, CA) 91 seconds to pull the Highlanders back to within a goal. Junior midfielder Andrew Villalobos (Whittier, CA) was responsible for most of the build-up, darting between two defenders on the right flank before sending a left-footed shot at the goal. Titan goalie Brent Douglas went low to his right for the save but he could only parry it into the path of Plummer, who side-footed into the empty net.

The Highlanders had a chance to draw even just before halftime when freshman forward Nathan Paterson (Modesto, CA) found himself in a one-on-one situation but Douglas came up with the stop to send CSUF into halftime with a 2-1 lead.

UCR started the second half with a determination to draw level and was rewarded with the equalizer in the 57th minute. Again, he was the beneficiary of being in the right place as a loose ball came to him 16 yards out and he slotted home his right-footed finish into the lower left corner. It was Plummer’s third goal in two games and fourth goal of the season, tying him for the team lead.

When UCR visited Fullerton on October 7, the Titans had taken a 2-0 lead, only for the Highlanders to score twice to tie before CSUF pulled away for a 4-2 win. Fans must have gotten a sense of déjà vu when the Titans repeated that feat. With 12 minutes remaining, UCR conceded a free kick deep on the right side. Shumway sent in a cross that was met by Sean Keefe, who headed it past Alamo for the go-ahead goal.

UCR threw everything forward and had four successive corner kicks but could not capitalize. In the 86th minute, Skyler Thuresson caught the Highlander defense on a counterattack and fed Brooks, who was brought down in the penalty area. Michael Farfan stepped up and sent Alamo the wrong way to make it 4-2.

Alamo made two saves for UCR while Douglas stopped eight shots. UCR held a 7-2 corner kick advantage.

Alamo Named to Academic All-District VIII Team

(Nov. 2, 2006) - UC Riverside junior goalkeepr Charles Alamo has been selected as a member of the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Team, it was announced Thursday. This is Alamo’s first appearance on the All-District team and he is the first Highlander men’s soccer player to gain the honor since Aaron Allen in 2001.

As one of 11 players selected to the District VIII university team, Alamo will be entered into a national pool along with members of the other seven districts, where he will be eligible for Academic All-American status. Voting is conducted by members of the College Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA).

After missing all but three games in 2005 due to injury, Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA/San Luis Obispo HS) has played every second of the 2006 season, setting a UCR single-season record with 1,679:14 minutes played. He leads the Big West Conference with 74 saves, the third-highest total in UCR history. Earlier this year, he was named the Big West Player of the Week for posting back-to-back shutouts against UC Santa Barbara and Cal State Northridge. He has three shutouts on the season.

Alamo is already the Highlanders’ career leader in saves (220), wins (16), and minutes played (4,304:03). He carries a 3.67 grade-point-average and is majoring in political science. In 2004-05, he was named to the Big West Conference All-Academic Team.

Highlanders Fall 4-0 at UCSB in Season Finale

(Nov. 4, 2006) - UC Riverside closed out its 2006 season with a 4-0 defeat at UC Santa Barbara Saturday night at Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara. The Highlanders end the year with a record of 5-12-2, 2-6-2 in the Big West Conference while the Gauchos clinch their second conference title in three years to improve to 12-7-0, 7-3-0.

The Highlanders entered the match looking for their second straight victory over UCSB, having snapped a 10-game losing streak to the Gauchos with a 1-0 victory in Riverside on October 11. The hosts, on the other hand, knew that it would need a win to claim the Big West crown after UC Irvine's 1-0 loss to Cal State Northridge earlier in the day. UCR put pressure on the Gauchos early, with sophomore forward Joel Crompton (Pleasanton, CA) and junior midfielder Brandon Plummer (Huntington Beach, CA) each registering shots in the opening 10 minutes.

The Gauchos grabbed the lead at 13:58 through Eric Frimpong. Eric Avila provided the assist. The goal seemed to give UCSB life, as they pushed forward and forced junior goalkeeper Charles Alamo (San Luis Obispo, CA) into a pair of saves. The Gauchos went ahead 2-0 seven minutes before halftime through Nick Perera off a feed from Chris Pontius.

Alamo came through with three more saves to start the second half but UCR fell a further goal behind in the 66th minute as Avila made it 3-0. Ten minutes later, Brennan Tennelle completed the scoring.

Alamo made six saves for the Highlanders to run his Big West-leading total to 80 on the season. The saves total ties for the second-most in a single season in UCR history. UCSB's Kyle Reynish had three saves.

Three Highlanders Earn All-Big West Recognition

(Nov. 7, 2006) - Three UC Riverside men’s soccer players earned Big West All-Conference honors, it was announced Tuesday. Junior midfielder Andrew Villalobos was named to the second team while senior defender Josh Valerio and freshman forward Nathan Paterson were selected honorable mention.

Villalobos (Whittier, CA) set new career-highs with two goals, five assists, and nine points in 15 games, making 13 starts. His five assists led the team and was tied for sixth in the conference while also placing fifth on the UCR single-season record chart. This is the first All-Big West honor of his career.

Valerio (Westminster, CA) started all 18 games in 2006 and all 54 of his games as a Highlander since transferring from Fresno State prior to the 2004 season. He scored both of his career goals in 2004 but helped the UCR defense improve each season. It is also Valerio’s first All-Big West selection.

Paterson (Modesto, CA) led UCR in scoring with 10 points, tying for the team lead with four goals. His four goals are tied for the seventh-most in the school’s six-year Division I history. Paterson netted a team-high two game-winners, both against 2006 NCAA Championship participants. His first came in a 3-2 win over San Diego State on September 6 and the second was the lone goal on October 11 in a 1-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara, UCR’s first over the Gauchos at the Division I level.

UCR went 5-12-2 overall and 2-6-2 in the Big West to place sixth.

Solorzano Drafted By Chivas USA

(Jan. 18, 2007) - UC Riverside senior midfielder Erasmo Solorzano became the first Highlander ever to be drafted by Major League Soccer, as he was selected by Chivas USA in the second round of the 2007 MLS Supplemental Draft, conducted Thursday. Solorzano was the 20th player taken overall in the supplemental draft and the first of five Big West Conference players selected.

Solorzano (Riverside, CA/Riverside Poly HS) enjoyed a fine career with his hometown university, appearing in 62 games and scoring four goals. His senior season was highlighted by a pair of goals, including the game-winner, on August 29 against UNLV, an effort that earned him his first career Big West Player of the Week honor.

Solorzano is the first Highlander to be involved in the United States’ top soccer league. Former teammates Tre Lee (Miami FC) and Luc Harrington (Charleston Battery) currently play in the United Soccer Leagues.

Based in Carson, CA, Chivas USA is the newest of the 12 Major League Soccer teams, commencing play in 2005. It is the sister team of Mexican League giant Club Deportivo Guadalajara, popularly known as “Chivas”. Chivas USA went 10-13-9 and earned the third playoff spot from the Western Conference last season, losing in the conference semifinals to eventual MLS Champion Houston.

UCR went 5-12-2 overall in 2006 under third-year Head Coach Junior Gonzalez.