THIS WEEK'S ACTION
#9 UC IRVINE ANTEATERS at
CAL STATE FULLERTON TITANS
Wednesday, Oct. 5 - 7:00 PM
Fullerton, Calif. - Titan Stadium
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE MATADORS at
#9 UC IRVINE ANTEATERS
Saturday, Oct. 8 - 7:00 PM
Irvine, Calif. - Anteater Stadium
After a loss to open Big West play, the Anteaters responded with an overall win at the always-difficult Gauchos. UCI plays home and away for the second straight week against two programs on the rise.
ONE AND DONE: One of the reasons the 'Eaters have had so much recent success is the fact that they rarely fall into a funk. In regular season play since 2008, UCI is 9-1 after a loss which means they have lost back-to-back matches just once in the last three seasons.
The Anteaters' stumble against Cal Poly was an afterthought following their shutout win at UCSB. Just as impressive is their 6-2-1 record following matches where they were held scoreless.
FONTEIN OF YOUTH: Andrew Fontein (Las Vegas, Nev. / Sierra Vista HS) hit his stride as September came to a close. Following the long road trip that went through Wisconsin, Illinois, and Florida, Fontein returned home feeling reenergized. In his last three matches, Fontein has allowed just one goal, which came on a penalty kick, and stopped the other seven shots he saw including numerous advances by the No. 7 Gauchos in hostile territory.
Fontein now has four shutouts on the year upping his career total to 24 while he increases his win count to 43.
CAL STATE FULLERTON TITANS: The Titans have had an outstanding 2011 campaign so far. They finally cracked the top 25 as No. 19 last week before a crushing, 3-0, loss at Cal State Northridge. They played No.2-ranked Akron to a scoreless tie, and also battled CSU Bakersfield to a 0-0 tie, another team that is knocking on the top-25 door.
At 6-2-2, they are off to one of their best starts including a 2-0-1 record at home. One of the primary reasons for their hot start has been the play of their backline and keeper. Trevor Whiddon has stopped 42 shots and allowed just nine goals in 10 matches.
One of the big subjects of the match will be how the Titans play without their point scorer, Kevin Venegas. He was red-carded in their last match, and his five goals, four of which were game-winners, and three assists will be sorely missed. Five other Titans have posted two goals in 2011, and will be called upon to fill in for his absence.
CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE MATADORS: The Matadors have been on a hot streak and are the surprise of conference play, so far. They weathered a tough non-conference schedule falling to No. 2 Akron (2-1) in overtime and at No. 24 New Mexico (3-1), while pulling out a draw at No. 22 CSU Bakersfield (2-2). One common opponent is UNLV who they fell to in overtime at home, 2-1.
CSUN has scored three straight 3-0 wins including one over CSUF, ranked No. 19 last week. They have definitely spread the love around with nine players scoring three or more points. Five different players have recorded a game-winning goal.
Carlos Benavides is coming off a Big West Player of the Week award after assisting on all three goals against CSUF. He leads the Matadors with six.
Chris Smith has five assists and leads the club with nine points. Thomas Ramos, Yarden Azulay, and Edwin Rivas each have posted three goals. Keeper Michael Abalos has five shutouts on the year allowing just 10 goals in nine matches.
HOW WE MATCH UP: The 'Eaters and Titans are deadlocked at 18-18-6 all-time with the slight edge going to UCI in matches played at Anteater Stadium where they are 10-7-3. UCI has lost twice in their last 20 meetings including two regular season wins in 2010. Unfortunately, CSUF scored a win in the Big West Championships to snap UCI's four-match win streak against them.
UCI and CSUN split their two meeting last year with each club winning at home. The schools have been back-and-forth throughout the years, but the Matadors hold the slight advantage at 18-14-4 and 8-7-4 at Anteater Stadium.
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