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DAVIS, Calif. \u2014 UC Davis women’s soccer continues Big West play this week, heading south for a two-match road stretch against Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday night and CSUN on Sunday evening.<\/p>\n
HOW TO WATCH\/LISTEN\/FOLLOW GAME NOTES
\nABOUT THE OPPONENTS<\/p>\n
\nOct. 16 \u2014 at Cal State Bakersfield | 7 p.m. | ESPN+<\/a>\u00a0| Live Stats<\/a> | @ucdaviswsoc (X\/Instagram)
\nOct. 19 \u2014 at CSUN | 5 p.m. | ESPN+<\/a> | Live Stats<\/a> | @ucdaviswsoc (X\/Instagram)<\/p>\n
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\n\tUC Davis enters the week 2-9-4 overall and 0-5-1 in Big West play
\n\tThe Aggies face Cal State Bakersfield on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. PT, followed by a Sunday matchup at CSUN at 5 p.m. PT
\n\tUC Davis dropped a pair of 1-0 matches at home, falling to UC San Diego and Long Beach State
\n\tCat Pieper<\/a> totaled 11 saves across both matches, including six vs. UC San Diego and five vs. Long Beach State
\n\tAva Coverdale<\/a>, Courtney Wagner<\/a>, and McKayla Farrell<\/a> each generated quality looks, with Farrell recording one of UC Davis’ best second-half chances against the Beach
\n\tGenavieve Fontes<\/a> leads the Aggies with three goals, including one game-winner
\n\tSydney Bushman<\/a> has scored two goals, while Sarah Canavan<\/a> continues to pace the team in playmaking with three assists
\n\tAva Coverdale<\/a> remains one of UC Davis’ most active attackers, leading the Aggies with 29 total shots, to go along with one goal and one assist
\n\tCat Pieper<\/a> has started every match in goal, recording 56 saves (3rd in the Big West) and three shutouts. She ranks 7th in the conference with a .800 save percentage and 8th with a 1.08 goals-against average
\n\tUC Davis ranks 3rd in the Big West in saves per game (4.27) and 7th in save percentage (.790)
\n\tOffensively, the Aggies average 9.7 shots per game and 0.6 goals per match, while holding opponents to 1.13 goals per contest
\n\tThe Aggies recorded a season-high 20 shots earlier this year at Loyola Marymount
\n\tRedshirt freshman Lakelee Perkins<\/a> earned Big West Freshman of the Week honors earlier this season after scoring the match-winner in the Causeway Cup victory at Sacramento State
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\n\tCal State Bakersfield enters 5-7-2 overall and 2-3-1 in Big West play
\n\tThe Roadrunners rank 3rd in the Big West in shots per game (13.93) and 1st in corner kicks per game (6.29)
\n\tBakersfield averages 1.21 goals per match and 0.79 assists per game, ranking 6th and 7th in the conference respectively
\n\tGoalkeeper Kamy Anaya leads the Big West in saves per game (4.21) and minutes played (1,260), ranking 5th in goals-against average (1.00) and 5th in save percentage (.808)
\n\tCSUN enters 5-6-3 overall and 3-0-2 in Big West play
\n\tThe Matadors rank 4th in the Big West in save percentage (.833) and 3rd in shutout percentage (.500)
\n\tGoalkeeper Riley Liebsack ranks 4th in the Big West in goals-against average (0.786) and 3rd in save percentage (.831) while playing 1,260 minutes
\n\tCSUN averages 13.43 shots per game (5th in the Big West) and 5.79 shots on goal per game (4th)
\n\tCailey Jackson ranks 4th in the Big West in shots per game (3.07) and 3rd in shots on goal per game (1.36)
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\nSEASON NOTES<\/p>\n
\n\tNew Era: First win of the Kat Mertz<\/a> era came in a 2-1 win on the road at Pacific on Aug. 17.
\n\tSeason Opener: The Aggies opened the year with a 1-1 draw against Fresno State, behind a first-career goal from Sydney Bushman<\/a>
\n\t2024 Recap: UC Davis went 13-5-2 and finished second in the Big West.
\n\t2025 Poll: Aggies picked eighth in the Big West preseason coaches’ poll (37 points).
\n\tThe 2025 season marks the start of a new era for UC Davis women’s soccer under head coach Kat Mertz<\/a>, who brings 26 years of collegiate coaching experience
\n\tMertz’s coaching philosophy centers on creating a competitive environment and embracing the program-wide standard to “find joy” in the work.
\n\tThe staff features two new assistants: Emilee Tominovich<\/a>, a member of the 2024 NCAA Division II National Championship staff at Cal Poly Pomona who leads recruiting and scouting, and Abbie Faingold<\/a>, a former Portland State and professional goalkeeper who oversees the goalkeeper group and player mentorship.
\n\tAll eyes on Genavieve Fontes<\/a>: The redshirt senior was named to the 2025 Big West Preseason Coaches’ Team; United Soccer Coaches Player to Watch; led Big West with 11 goals in 2024 (four game-winners).
\n\tThe roster blends a strong returning core highlighted by players such as Fontes, Sarah Canavan<\/a>, Ashleigh Garcia<\/a>, Ava Coverdale<\/a>, Livi Lewis<\/a>, and Sydney Bushman<\/a>.
\n\tIn addition, Mertz’s 2025 squad is highlighted by several newcomers, including transfers Shayna Ross<\/a> (Colorado State), Courtney Wagner<\/a> (Cal Poly), Lisette Gregoris<\/a> (Arizona State), and Kiley Fehrenbacher<\/a> (Oregon). While Mertz’s first incoming freshmen class consists of Jordan Perry<\/a>, Sierra Cordola<\/a>, Ava Peterson<\/a>, Brooklyn Tanon<\/a>, and Bailey Rakela<\/a>.
\n\tThis is UC Davis’ final season in the Big West before joining the Mountain West in 2026.
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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