Box Score IRVINE, Calif. --- UCI and Iona scrapped for 110 minutes Sunday at Anteater Stadium to the tune of a 2-2 draw.
UCI (1-0-1) fell behind early as Samuel Adjei convert once off two marvelous chances. In the 9th minute, he was led into the box on a 1v1 opportunity. His shot hit off a sliding Michael Breslin and flipped up high before bouncing into the net behind him.
Adjei returned in the 12th minute with an eerily similar opportunity. He tried to bend a shot around Breslin and inside the right post, but Breslin's dive would halt the chance and keep it a one-goal game.
UCI attacked in the 25th minute as Thomas Janjigian would launch a long pass to Lester Hayes III. His flick would skip by the oncoming keeper to tie up the match.
Enrique Cardenas put the 'Eaters up before the half with in 37th minute. Cameron Iwasa set the stage with a great run and knocked the ball away from the keeper. After gathering the ball on the end line, his pass back on front found Cardenas who laced a low line drive into center net to give UCI the lead.
Tempers were set to the test through the entirety of the match as the team's committed 22 fouls each. None were bigger than Tarek Morad's foul in the box in the 66th minute setting up Franklin Castellanos' penalty kick goal to tie the match back up.
Iona (0-1-1) had an enormous red card in the 74th minute leaving the Gaels with 10 men. UC Irvine would continue its assault with 24 shots in the match. Joel vom Dorp had a great chance as a header off a corner kick sailed inches high in the 68th minute. Cardenas would bend a 30-yard free kick on in the 84th minute, but Gael keeper Julian Petrello punched it wide as it approached the upper right corner.
The Gaels' red card would go for naught as the sides were unable to score in either overtime period.
Breslin ended with the pair of saves while Petrello cleaned up with six. UCI held a 24-8 shot advantage along with most of the possession resulting in an 8-0 corner kick advantage.
Cardenas has now delivered on a goal in each of the 'Eaters matches to this point. Hayes III notched his first of the season while Janjigian's assist marked his first and first point of his 'Eater career.
UCI heads out on its daunting road trip next starting at San Diego State Sat. Sept. 7 at 7:00 p.m. UC Irvine follows that up with trips to Xavier, Louisville, and No. 1 Indiana.
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