Box Score SACRAMENTO, Calif. --- Cameron Iwasa and the UC Irvine Anteaters pulled out a come-from-behind victory with two marvelous second half goals including the game-winner in the 89th minute to vault the 18th-ranked Anteaters to a 2-1 victory over Big West counterpart Sacramento State Sunday afternoon.
Sacramento State (2-5-3, 0-2-0) got the scoring started in the 17th minute as the aptly-named Almog Strikowski cleaned up a rebound off the post dealing the Anteaters an early 1-0 deficit.
UCI (6-3-2, 1-1-0) trailed at the half despite a sizable shot advantage at 8-4 and 3-1 on goal.
Cameron Iwasa and the Anteaters began their offensive resurgence in the second half as the junior blasted a shot off a defender from the top of the box to even the match at 1-1 in the 62nd minute.
The Anteaters continued to march along putting 20 shots up against the Hornets' seven on the match. Cesar Carrillo stood tall all afternoon for SSU with eight saves.
However, UCI's 20th shot would be the dagger as Christopher Santana, who assisted on the first goal, did the same off a free kick finding Iwasa whose header found the back of the net in the 89th minute for the eventual, 2-1 winner.
UCI, coming off a very physical loss to UC Davis that featured five yellow cards and two reds, was quiet throughout the match receiving just nine fouls until fireworks resurfaced in the final minute that resulted in yellow cards for each side and a red card for Santana.
The Anteaters salvage the Big West road trip with a win to gain the split. Iwasa now has four goals on the year, all in the last five matches, moving him into second on the team in goals and points. His second goal was also his first game-winner of the season, and he even just missed out on the hat trick after ringing a shot off the post in the first half. Santana scored his first two assists on the year.
Michael Breslin earned his sixth victory in net stopping just one shot for a total of 19 on the year.
The Anteaters return to Anteater Stadium next week with two more North Division opponents. UCI and Cal Poly clash on Fri. Oct. 11 at 7:00 p.m. before welcoming the Gauchos of UCSB on Sunday for a 4:00 p.m. match.
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