SAN FRANCISCO - UC Davis held Florida Gulf Coast, a team that advanced to the second round of last season’s NCAA Tournament, and entered Sunday’s non-conference neutral-site matchup receiving votes in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s national poll, without a shot in throughout the final 22:25 of action at Negoesco Stadium, but the Eagles’ strike in the fifth minute was the only goal tallied by either team, as the Aggies ended the first weekend of the 2016 season with a 1-1 loss.

 

Starting with this match, UC Davis will play three straight neutral-site contests; its next two games will take place in Las Vegas at the UNLV Invitational. Women’s soccer will enter Friday’s 4 p.m. tournament opener, vs. Eastern Washington, with a 1-1 record.

 

UC Davis more than held its own against the reigning five-time Atlantic Sun champions following that early goal by taking just as many shots as the Eagles (7), and drawing twice as many corner kicks in the second half (4-2).

 

Nicole Carson recorded three of the Aggies’ seven shots, and one of its three shots on goal. Sydney Burger and Zuzu Romano also forced FGCU goalkeeper Melissa Weck to make a save in order to preserve her team’s lead.

 

UC Davis goalkeeper Alexis Smith ended the day with two saves.

 

Celina Minissian and Nicole Smolinski also recorded shots for the Aggies.

 

Including Sunday’s game, UC Davis will play four road games in a row before returning to Aggie Soccer Field for its next home match. That will take place on Sept. 4 when Fresno State visits campus.