Box Score SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. --- UCI broke out of its offensive slump in a big way coming out on the winning side of a seven-goal barrage Sunday afternoon at Spanos Stadium to capture its first Big West win, 4-3, over Cal Poly.
UC Irvine (6-5-0, 1-1-0) enjoyed a masterful first half. The Mustangs held the 7-4 advantage in the shot column, but UCI was able to knock two of those in for goals.
Zoya Farzaneh opened up the scoring in the ninth minute receiving a sideline pass from Jenna Pellegrino to give UCI the 1-0 lead.
Soon after, Cami Privett flipped a free kick into the upper left corner magnificently to extend the lead to 2-0 in the 13th minute, and it stayed that way through the half.
Cal Poly (5-7-0, 1-1-0) came out of the locker room flying as offensive weapon Elise Krieghoff got the Mustangs back in the match. She took advantage of an 'Eater yellow card and drained a long free kick from the corner just 31 seconds into the half. She would return to run on a brilliant pass from midfield to knock her second goal in and tie it up in the 51st minute, 2-2.
UCI answered swiftly as the 'Eaters' scoring leader Laura McGrail stepped in to head a Cami Privett cross in just 34 seconds later and regain the lead for UCI, 3-2.
An all-important insurance goal from Jasmine Nickelberry, the first of her career, got UCI back to its two-goal edge, 4-2, in the 68th minute as a feed from Zoya Farzaneh found Nickelberry who would finish into an open net from 25 yards out.
Cal Poly and its offensive assault raged on as Krieghoff would share the wealth and hit a streaking Sara Epps in the box who would nail a rolling ball inside the box home in the 80th minute to bring the match back to 4-3 in favor of UC Irvine.
A late injury saw Jenn Randazzo relieve Corey Tobin in the 86th minute, but the Anteater defense held strong to close out the match.
There could have easily been five more goals on the afternoon as each squad threatened on multiple occasions. The Mustangs had shots float just high multiple times and Kendra Bonsall nearly tied the match up once again in the 85th minute, but finished a cross into the side of the net.
UCI peppered Mustang keeper Alyssa Giannetti for 10 shots on goal. Bianca Frontino had a great shot late in the second half that was tipped wide by Giannetti and a defender. Natalia Ledezma had an offensive counter the minute before Bonsall's attempt where she was able to beat a defender and struck from 25 yards out, but Giannetti was keen to it and blocked it just wide.
The four goals mark UCI's highest scoring output on the season and snap a scoreless drought of nearly 200 minutes. McGrail continues to lead the squad with five goals on the year now.
Farzaneh and Privett each converted their second of the season while also adding an assist. Pellegrino and Mady Solow scored assists as well.
Corey Tobin stopped three shots before exiting. It was her second win of the season to go along with the UNLV victory in August.
The 'Eaters weather a tough, early conference road trip with a 1-1 record. UCI has had six of its last seven matches on the road and has put together a 5-1 record with a 12-5 goal advantage in those.
UCI will return home for three straight starting on Thurs. Oct. 10 for a 7:00 p.m. match against UC Riverside. The Big West homestand will continue Sun. Oct. 13 against UC Davis and Thurs. Oct. 17 against Long Beach State.
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