Box Score DAVIS, Calif. --- UCI came up short on the scoreboard and on the pitch Friday afternoon as the disadvantaged Anteaters fell at UC Davis, 2-0, at Aggie Soccer Field.
UC Davis (5-4-1, 1-0-0) took advantage of a miscue in the box in the 28th minute. A long throw-in from Ryan Gross bounded around the box before Dash MacNamara headed the ball in giving UCD a 1-0 lead.
The Anteater momentum had quickly subsided from its early offensive rush and continued to do so as the physicality ramped up. Dennis Martinez and Ryan Gross got into it in the 30th minute resulting in a red card for Martinez and leaving UCI down a man. Gross was issued a yellow card.
Minutes later, Head Coach George Kuntz earned a second yellow card coupled with a ninth-minute infraction leading to his expulsion. UCI would remain down just one goal heading into the half despite having accumulated five cards, two red.
Both sides played evenly throughout the second half. The Aggies held a 10-8 shot advantage at the final whistle despite the man-advantage.
Matt Wiesenfarth extended the lead late with an 88th-minute goal making it 2-0 dropping UC Irvine to 5-3-2 and 0-1 in the Big West standings.
Michael Breslin earned his second five-save match in as many games giving him 18 total saves on the season.
Enrique Cardenas led the offensive attack with four shots and two on net. UCI would also earn two more yellow cards in the second half for a total of five in the match.
The Anteaters have a chance to return to the win column Sunday with a trip to Sacramento State for a 1:00 p.m. match with the Hornets.
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