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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. -- Fourth-seeded UC Davis downed No. 2 seed and host UC Santa Barbara 2-0 to claim the 2024 Big West Men's Soccer Championship title on Friday night in front of 2,838 fans at Harder Stadium.

With the win, the Aggies became the first ever No. 4 seed to win the Championship, and earned their second ever Big West trophy.

UC Davis improves to 10-5-6 on the season, and earns The Big West's automatic berth into the field of the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championship. The Aggies will learn their first round opponent and location on Monday at 10 a.m., during the selection show on NCAA.com. Meanwhile, UC Santa Barbara moves to 11-5-4.

After winning their second Big West Championship title, the Aggies will be making their fourth NCAA Championship field as a Big West squad (2007, '08, '19).

UC Davis took an early lead with a goal by Championship Most Valuable Player Cason Goodman in the 20th minute, assisted by Keegan Walwyn-Bent. Goodman was able to post up, collect the ball, and executed a turn-and-shoot goal. The Aggie forward scored again in the closing minutes of the first half in similar fashion, this time assisted by Kevin Welch, to extend their lead to 2-0. The Gauchos managed several offensive opportunities, including a corner kick toward the end of the half, but could not convert them into a successful scoring opportunity.

In the second half, UC Santa Barbara applied pressure with numerous corner kicks and shots, notably a streak of attempts saved by UC Davis goalkeeper Noah Schwengeler. Despite the offensive efforts, neither team managed to alter the scoreboard in the final 45 minutes of action.

Goodman was a key offensive player, finding the back of the net twice while taking six shots. Schwengeler played a crucial role in goal, achieving a shutout with three saves..

For the Gauchos, Big West Offensive Player of the Year forward Alexis Ledoux managed one shot on goal, but was unable to contribute a score. Goalkeeper David Mitzner recorded one save against seven shots faced.