Box Score

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- UC Irvine turned it on in the final 15 minutes of regulation thanks to a pair of goals from freshman Pavle Atanackovic to earn a 2-2 tie Friday afternoon in the initial match of the TLC Lobo Invitational against the Missouri State Bears on the campus of New Mexico.

Missouri State (4-0-3) took just two shots in the opening half, but held the lead 1-0 after Jack Wood nailed a free kick in in the 40th minute. UCI (3-2-1) remained diligent with a 10-2 lead in shots at the half.

The Bears struck 30 seconds into the half as James Thomas headed a cross in putting UCI into a 2-0 hole.

The squads continued the even play until freshman Pavle Atanackovic entered the match in the 74th minute. One minute and 49 seconds later Atanackovic gathered a ball that was deflected off a clearance play and drilled a shot from the top of the box to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Atanackovic was back in the middle of the action one minute and 45 seconds after his first goal as he headed a Gor Kirakosyan cross in to tie the match.

Bear keeper Andrew Riggs came up big saving four shots in the final 10 minutes of regulation and overtime by UCI and kept the match at a 2-2 until the final whistle.

One of those came off a Cameron Iwasa shot who led the 'Eaters with eight shots, one on goal.

For Atanackovic, his goals were his first two of his Anteater career. Kirakosyan earned the assist as he now leads the team with two on the season.

Michael Breslin played all 110 minutes stopping three shots.

The No. 16 Anteaters will finish up in New Mexico on Sunday against the host No. 7 Lobos. The match begins at 12:00 p.m. Pacific time.

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