STOCKTON, Calif. --- Redshirt freshman Jacob Mourer scored three goals as eighth-ranked UC Irvine defeated No. 7 Pacific, 10-9, in a key Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game at Stockton Saturday.
In addition to Mourer's hat trick, Trent Baxter and Mitch Wise added two goals apiece as the 'Eaters, 13-8 overall, picked up their first MPSF win of the season in improving to 1-3 in the league.
The UCI victory kept the Tigers (9-8, 0-3) winless in the MPSF. The top eight teams in the nine-school conference following the regular season qualify for the MPSF Tournament at UCLA Nov. 25-27.
Brian Pickford, Baxter, Max Parrague and Mourer notched goals as UCI took a 4-2 lead after one quarter in Saturday's win.
Nick Pfeil's goal at the 7:30 mark in the second period extended the 'Eaters' lead to 5-2 and UCI was ahead 7-5 at halftime.
Pacific's Daniel Lungu scored back-to-back goals to open the second half as the Tigers drew even at 7-7.
Joey Doyle scored with 4:05 remaining in the third quarter to give Pacific an 8-7 lead, but UCI's Wise (2:53) and Mourer (:12) countered with goals, giving the 'Eaters a 9-8 lead entering the final period.
Baxter scored what proved to be the game-winning goal with 6:00 left in regulation for a 10-8 lead as the Tigers' Goran Tomasevic closed out the scoring on a goal with 1:12 remaining.
UCI plays at No. 4 California Sunday at 12:00 p.m. in another MPSF game.
UC Irvine 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 --- 10
Pacific 2 – 3 – 3 – 1 --- 9
UCI: Jacob Mourer 3, Trent Baxter 2, Mitch Wise 2, Brian Pickford, Max Parrague, Nick Pfeil.
Pacific: Daniel Lungu 4, Goran Tomasevic 2, Tom Koning, Balazs Erdelyi, Joey Doyle.
Saves: Michael Bailey (UCI) 7; Alex Malkis (Pacific) 10.
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