IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine stayed close with No. 3 USC, but fell to the Trojans, 14-10, in a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation game at Anteater Aquatics Complex Sunday afternoon.

The 12^th-ranked Anteaters had an early 2-1 lead on first-quarter goals by Kyle Trush and Matt Skinner.

USC scored three straight goals to lead 4-2 after one quarter but the 'Eaters battled back to tie the game at 4-4 on a penalty shot by Lovre Milos with 5:58 left in the opening half.

The Trojans (20-4, 5-2 MSPF) then scored four of the next five goals to take an 8-5 lead at halftime.

USC extended its lead to 10-5 midway through the third quarter before UCI freshman Ryan Warde scored to close the margin to 10-6 entering the final period.

The Trojans built a six-goal lead on two occasions in the fourth quarter before Jacob Mourer (1:15) and Milos (:04) closed out the scoring to pull the 'Eaters within four at game's end.

Milos led UCI (13-11, 1-6) with three goals while Trush and Skinner added a two apiece.

Bryce Hoerman led USC with three goals.

The 'Eaters host California Baptist in a non-conference game Wednesday night at 7:00 before facing UC Santa Barbara Saturday at 12:00 p.m., also at the Anteater Aquatics Complex, in an MPSF game and regular-season finale.


USC                4-4-2-4 --- 14
UC Irvine         2-3-1-4 --- 10


USC:  Bryce Hoerman 3, Kostas Genidounias 2, Marc Vonderweidt 2, Nick Bell 2, James Walters 2, Mihajo Milicevic, Lachlan Edwards, Matteo Morelli.

UCI:  Lovre Milos 3, Kyle Trush 2, Matt Skinner 2, Ryan Warde, Jacob Mourer, Justin Papa.

Saves:   McQuin Baron (USC) 18;  Byron Rivers (UCI) 9.