NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- The Anteaters scored a complete victory in a 4-0 shutout over Cal State Northridge at Matador Soccer Field Sunday night.

Natalia Ledezma (La Mirada / UCLA) stole the show with a hat trick for the 'Eaters.

UC Irvine (12-3-2, 5-1-1) got a little help in the third minute to grab the early lead. Amanda Hardeman's (Laguna Niguel / Santiago Canyon College) throw-in went to Judy Christopher (Ontario / Upland HS). She served a high ball into the box, and Lexi Kopf (Sonora / Sonora HS) converged on it with a Matador defender. The ball deflected into the top right corner resulting in an own goal.

UCI continued to possess the ball and would score again in the 11th minute. On a similarly-looking play, Dana Sanderlin (Upland / Upland HS) served another high ball. It came down to Ledezma who deflected it up and in to the same corner to make it 2-0.

The 'Eaters continued to command the pitch as Cal State Northridge (6-8-2, 4-2-1) had their only two shots on goal in the first half.

UCI continued the scoring in the 66th minute. Sarah Devine (San Diego / Poway HS) played a ball from the defensive end that hit Ledezma in stride. She fired a shot from 35 yards out placing it perfectly into the top left corner to make it 3-0.

Ledezma still wasn't finished. In the 77th minute, CoCo Goodson (Ramona / University of Texas) launched a free kick from midfield that landed just to the left side of the box. It managed to find Ledezma again and she settled it and booted it inside the far post for the fourth and final tally.

UCI would run the clock down recording its sixth shutout and fourth in the last five matches.

Jennifer Randazzo (San Jose / Presentation HS) finished with a pair of saves as she gave way to Kala Gabler (Apple Valley / Hope International) for the final minutes.

Ledezma's three goals give her 11 on the season and 28 points, both leading the club. The hat trick was the second for a UCI player in the last 15 years. Kate Berrini recorded the last one in 2008 against Weber State. In her last three matches, Ledezma has totalled 12 points stemming from five goals and two assists.

In the assist department, Sanderlin earned her fourth, Goodson her third, and Devine her second on the season.

The four goals was the highest total of the season for the 'Eaters along with the four-goal margin of victory.

The win puts UCI into first in the Big West at the moment. Its 5-1-1 record has the Anteaters above UC Davis (4-1-1), Cal State Northridge (4-2-1), and Long Beach State (4-2-0) all fighting for second and conference tournament qualification.

UCI will wrap up the regular season next Sunday has they host UC Riverside, Oct. 30, at 2:00 p.m.

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