THIS WEEK'S ACTION

UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS at
#11 UC IRVINE ANTEATERS
Wednesday, November 9, 2011 - 7:00 PM
Irvine, Calif. - Anteater Stadium

BIG WEST CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
(IF NECESSARY)
Saturday, November 12, 2011 - 7:00 PM
Irvine, Calif. - Anteater Stadium

UC Irvine won't have to wait long to avenge its last home loss as the Highlanders come to Anteater Stadium in a fairly unique Big West Tournament field.

DO UC WHAT I SEE?: There are a couple fun little facts that go along with the 2011 Big West Tournament field; mainly, the fact that all four schools are UC schools. UC Davis and UCSB will battle in the other semifinal. UC Davis returns after a two-year hiatus, while UCSB continues its long-standing reign near the top of the conference.

UCI plays host to a newcomer to the tourney, the UC Riverside Highlanders. It is the first time that all four UC schools make up the tournament field, and there is also a chance that all four could make the NCAA field. The Big West got four schools in the field in 2008 which was the first and only time the conference got even more than two berths.

FOUR SCORE: The men did something only accomplished by one other Big West school: they have won the Big West in some form four times in a row.

Since 2008, the 'Eaters have won either the regular season title, conference title, or both. In 2008, they won both. In 2009, they won the conference tournament, and now in the last two years they are regular season champions with a chance to add the tournament crown to that.

COACHING AT ANOTHER LEVEL:  Coach Kuntz has quietly been climbing the win ladder this season adding 14 to his career total. This marks Kuntz's 17th season at UCI where he has accumulated 163 wins. In his 24-year career that has included stints at Pepperdine and Cal Lutheran, he has won 297 matches and 53 Big West matches.

UC RIVERSIDE HIGHLANDERS: The Highlanders are having their best season since joining the Big West. At 9-5-4 overall and 4-3-3 in conference, it is the first time the Highlanders have posted winning record overall and in conference since joining the Big West in 2001. Its four conference wins this season match the most they've had in conference in a season and equals the amount of conference wins UC Riverside has had in the last three seasons combined.

UCR has had a nice run in conference with a pair of wins over UC Santa Barbara along with one vs. CS Northridge and draws against UC Davis and two with CS Fullerton. The only common opponent in non-conference play was UNLV who the Highlanders defeated, 2-1.

Cesar Diaz Pizarro has been magnificent netting nine goals and four game-winners to lead the team. He has added three assists as well along with four other teammates. Cody Suppe has spent the majority of the time in net recording all nine wins and three shutouts. He's saved 86 shots allowing just 23 goals. Suppe was a large part of the Highlanders' win at UCI at home two weeks ago, and was noticeably absent in the 5-1 loss UCI handed UCR at Riverside in an earlier match.

After splitting this season, UCI leads the all-time series, 12-5-4. The last loss broke a five-match winning streak for UCI against UCR and a five-match home unbeaten streak. UCI is 6-2-2 all-time at Anteater Stadium against the Highlanders.

THE REST OF THE FIELD: UCSB and UC Davis will meet in the other semifinal in the Big West Tournament. The Anteaters played each school just once this season. In early October, the 'Eaters went into Santa Barbara and beat the Gauchos, 2-0. UC Davis got the better of UCI in its own stadium with a 2-1 overtime win in mid-October.

UCSB was the two-seed last season when they won the tournament, and have now been the two-seed in three of the four Big West tournaments. The Gauchos and Aggies winner will potentially play at Anteater Stadium Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. should the Anteater advance past the semifinal.

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