IRVINE, Calif. --- A slow-developing match saw UC Irvine grind out a 1-0 victory over visiting Cal Poly at Anteater Stadium Sunday afternoon.
The first half was full of back and forth action. UCI controlled the time of possession, but neither team really sparked an offensive attack. The 'Eaters had a couple chances including a near-miss on a header from Sarah Devine (San Diego / Poway HS), but it remained a scoreless tie into the half.
The action began to pick up slowly in the second half as the 'Eaters had a couple good runs.
The momentum came to a halt as an apparent leg injury to a Mustang defender stopped the game for a while.
UCI took the momentum back after the delay. It had a great opportunity as Dana Sanderlin (Upland / Upland HS) finally got the first shot on goal at about the 65-minute mark as she bent a line drive shot that was tipped by Mustang keeper, Brooke Gauvin. The rebound went to Devon Delarosa (San Diego / Rancho Bernardo HS), but she was blocked and Cal Poly thwarted the chance.
Zoya Farzaneh (Newport Beach / Irvine HS) had another great shot that went just high of the crossbar.
The Anteaters remained vigilant and finally broke through.
Judy Christopher (Ontario / Upland HS) set up for a corner kick. Her boot sailed high and was headed back by Devine. Delarosa was able to chase it down, settle it, and launch a high, arching cross into the box. Zuri Walker (San Diego / Francis Parker HS) flicked it over to a wide-open Cami Privett (Bakersfield / Frontier HS) who took a dribble and buried the shot putting UCI up, 1-0, in the 72nd minute.
Cal Poly continued to press getting a few chances on net. Jennifer Randazzo (San Jose / Presentation HS) kept the Mustangs out of the net recording one save in the match, but that was all she needed to give UC Irvine its second conference win.
Privett's goal was her fourth of the season and her second game-winner to go along with 10 points.
Randazzo put up her second consecutive shutout and four total on the year.
Walker received her second assist of the year with Delarosa earning her first.
UCI goes to 2-1-1 in conference, 9-3-2 overall, and will travel to Cal State Fullerton on Fri. Oct. 14 to take on the Titans in a 7:00 p.m. match.
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