DAVIS, Calif. --- UC Irvine and UC Davis played to a 2-2 draw at Aggie Soccer Field Friday afternoon to open up Big West play.
UC Irvine (7-2-2, 0-0-1) shot the ball early and often with four in the first 15 minutes. The Aggies (6-3-1, 0-0-1) would weather the storm and come back with a pair of their own including one off the post.
UCI regained the momentum around the 20th minute, and Lexi Kopf (Sonora / Sonora HS) would break through for the Anteaters with nifty goal off a cross from Zoya Farzaneh (Irvine / Irvine HS) in the 24th minute. Farzaneh delivered her first assist of the season for Kopf's sixth goal.
The advantage would dissolve quickly as UC Davis corralled the ball and tied it in the 28th minute off a corner kick. Allison Kelly put it away for her fourth on the year.
The Aggies built on their new-found momentum with a flurry of shots and fouls. UCI would manage the next goal, however, as Jenna Pellegrino (Poway / Poway HS) headed in the go-ahead strike off a cross by Natalia Ledezma (La Mirada / UCLA). Pellegrino's goal was the first of her college career as well as her first point.
UC Davis would respond in full force once again, but were shut down as the half closed at 2-1, UCI. The shots were even at 10 apiece.
The Aggies wasted no time in the second half as a corner bounced to an open Annacy Wilson who would deposit it and tie the match at 2-2.
The second half would continue as action-packed as the first. UC Davis put eight more shots on goal to finish with 19 in regulation as Jennifer Randazzo (San Jose / Presentation HS) continued to keep back their advances.
The 'Eaters managed some offensive attacks and the teams would trade fouls and possessions as time wound down into the first overtime.
The overtime periods were very physical with each squad managing just one shot as the match would finish in a 2-2 tie.
Randazzo's eight saves were a new season and career high. Maria Magana stopped five Anteater shots.
UC Irvine's streak of eight straight conference wins comes to an end, however, they are unbeaten in their last nine matches (8-0-1).
Next on the trip are the Pacific Tigers in Stockton, Sun. Oct. 2, as the conference foes will play at 12:00 p.m.
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