No. 24 Anteaters Turn Tables Late, Down Highlanders 2-1
November 06, 2013 | Men's Soccer
IRVINE, Calif. --- UCI took it down to the wire Wednesday night at UC Riverside scoring goals in the 79th and 81st minute to erase a late deficit and steal a victory from UCR in from of 1,147 fans at UCR Soccer Field.
Both squads were up to the task early with eight shots amongst them in the first 17 minutes. UCR (8-7-3, 3-5-1) tested keeper Michael Breslin early forcing him to make three saves and keep the match scoreless. The Highlanders took the shot advantage into the half at 8-6 with Breslin stopping four shots.
The teams stepped it up in the second half. UCR got the scoring going in the 57th minute. Andy Contreras drove from the corner and buried his first goal of the season to give the Highlanders the 1-0 lead.
UC Irvine (11-4-3, 6-2-1) responded quickly trying to even the score, but the match pushed on with the 'Eaters trailing until the 79th minute. A foul in the box following a corner kick gave the 'Eaters the break they needed, and Enrique Cardenas would convert the penalty to tie the match up.
UCI would not let off the gas as Marco Franco fed Christopher Santana who drove and finished past UCR keeper KC John in the 81st minute to give UCI the lead.
Santana lead all 'Eaters with six shots on the match which included one off the crossbar in the minutes following his go-ahead strike.
The minutes counted down and finish in the 'Eaters' favor lifting them to their 11th win and a 6-2-1 Big West record. The win also guarantees the 'Eaters a top-2 spot in the Big West Tournament with the Saturday night match against No. 20 CSUN looming to determine the South division champion.
Santana's goal was his fourth of the season and gives him 10 points, the third Anteater to post double-digit points this season. It was also his second game-winner while the assist from Franco was his second of the year.
Cardenas extended his team lead in goals and points with seven and 19, respectively. He also converted his third PK of the year. The team as a whole has converted all four attempts on the season, and has notched eight of its last nine penalty kicks since 2009.
The 'Eaters host the 20th-ranked Matadors Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Anteater Stadium. The seniors will be celebrated while UCI can lock up a Big West South division title with a win, draw, or a loss of less than two goals.
__________________________________________________________
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.
