IRVINE, Calif. --- Bojan Hrlec scored a game-high six goals and UC Irvine capitalized on nine second-half goals to defeat Pepperdine, 13-10, in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game On Senior Day at Anteater Aquatics Complex Sunday.
The 'Eaters scored four times in the final 3:11 to overcome a 10-9 deficit. Mitch Wise (3:11), Larson Pfeil (1:32), Kyle Trush (:43) and Hrlec (:01) notched the goals.
UCI trailed 6-4 at halftime but pulled even at 7-7 on a power-play goal by Wise with 4:35 left in the third quarter. Nicholas Candau put the Waves back up at 8-7 on an extra-man goal with 3:18 remaining in the third.
Hrlec scored on a power play with 2:29 left in the period to tie the game 8-all and Alan Robertson's goal with 56 seconds remaining in the third gave the 'Eaters a 9-8 lead.
Marko Madaras scored with 6:36 left in the fourth to knot the score at 9-9 and his goal with 4:25 left put Pepperdine up 10-9 before the UCI barrage to close out the game.
Wise and Pfeil scored two goals apiece for UCI and Alex Kazmier had seven saves in goal.
This was the final home game for Anteater seniors Lawrence Bardelli, Hrlec, Kazmier and Wise, who were recognized prior to the game.
With the win, UCI earns a berth in next weekend's MPSF Tournament in Stockton. The 'Eaters, seeded eighth, will meet top-seeded Pacific at 10:00 a.m. Friday.
Hrlec's penalty shot with one second left clinched the tourney berth, as UCI had to defeat Pepperdine by at least three goals to advance into the MPSF Tournament.
"We knew this could come down to the last 3-4 possessions, UCI head coach Marc Hunt said. "We expected it. I told the guys if we keep it close, and have the time outs, there is a good shot we could jump them late. We had to stay resilient to that moment. Three minutes left we were tied, and had to win by three. The guys bought in to the strategy and it worked.
"This has been a challenging season dealing with our goalie injuries. We've seen that in the scores as of late. This team is tough as nails. Watch them play, and we all see that they don't give up," Hunt added.
"Bojan had a great day. He showed great shooting discipline. Mitch hit clutch goals in clutch moments. Trush and Larson both played shut-down defense when we needed it. Getting Kazmier back gave us the edge. The whole team brought a toughness and resilience that was bred by the entire season," said Hunt.
Pepperdine 2-4-2-2 --- 10
UC Irvine 1-3-5-4 --- 13
Pep: Marko Madaras 3, Mike Tragitt 2, Nicholas Candau 2, Luke Hewko 2, Danny White.
UCI: Bojan Hrlec 6, Mitch Wise 2, Larson Pfeil 2, Jacob Mourer, Alan Robertson, Kyle Trush.
Saves: Bence Valics (Pep) 7; Alex Kazmier (UCI) 7.
__________________________________________________________
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.
