Box Score LOUISVILLE, Ky. --- The Anteaters' annual mid-conference cross-country trip to take on a ranked opponent nearly brandished a result as UCI took the 14th-ranked Cardinals down to the wire before a breakaway strike in the 89th minute cut down UCI's hopes at Cardinal Park.
Louisville's Dylan Mares shot out on a breakaway with just under two minutes remaining to break 1-1 tie. Keeper Michael Breslin did all he could to extend the match, but was unable to keep Mares out of the net.
Breslin stopped three shots on the night which saw UCI (4-12-1, 1-6-0) ahead at the half.
Cameron Iwasa crushed a shot from the top of the box in the 32nd minute to give UCI the initial lead. Iwasa finished as the only Anteater with a pair of shots on target.
No. 14 Louisville (11-4-1) quickly tied the match back up with a corner kick-assisted strike in the 49th minute by Daniel Keller.
UCI went on the offensive shortly thereafter as shots by Austin Burke and Thom Moreira were stopped by Cardinal keeper Mike Mauro who finished with four saves.
Louisville earned some chances late before Hairston found Keller on the break.
UCI has had heartbreaking results against ranked foes in 2012. Along with Louisville, UCI has been nicked by ranked UCLA and CSUN squads in the final ten minutes of its matches while holding leads early on against the Cardinals and Bruins. UCI also had ranked UCSB, New Mexico, and Oregon State squads on the ropes before falling in overtime and double overtime in some cases.
The loss drops UCI to 4-12-1, however, the Anteaters still have a potential Big West Tournament spot in sight. They look to move closer to that dream with a return to Big West action Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Cal State Fullerton. UCI must win to stay alive in the Big West; a loss or even draw will eliminate them from contention.
_____________________________________________________________
For UC Irvine Athletics ticket information, please call (949) 824-5000 or e-mail athletics.tickets@uci.edu. For more information click here.
For information on how you can help support UC Irvine Athletics, please call (949) 824-6933 or e-mail aaf@uci.edu. For additional information, click here.
You can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
