ROAD RASH
UCI was shutout over the weekend to a pair of top-tier programs in No. 10 Santa Clara and No. 1 UCLA.
UCLA was the first top-ranked opponent in program history. UCI has faced a No. 2 program twice before (UCLA - 2006, Stanford - 2011).
The Anteater non-conference schedule is rated the 55th-toughest in the nation. Non-conference opponents fared well over the weekend:
Gonzaga and LMU remained unscathed with a pair of wins
San Diego and USC fought to a tie. USD also lost to a ranked Georgetown team while USC defeated LBSU
Oklahoma knocked off a ranked opponent en route to going 1-0-1
Auburn, Indiana, Fresno State and Boise State each split their two matches. Fresno State's lone loss came to Gonzaga
FINDING FORM
The Anteaters still look to solidify their lineup after two matches. 16 field players were used over the weekend with 12 earning a start.
Altogether, the starting backline played all but one minute over the matches. Kelsey Texeira, Alana Sooy, and Clarissa Robles each put in the full 180 minutes. Jasmine Nickelberry was subbed off in the last minute of the first half vs. UCLA.
Bianca Frontino and Jenna Pellegrino each put a shot on target playing 162 and 159 minutes, respectively.
Cami Privett led the team with four shots and two on target. She recorded the lone shot vs. UCLA trying to catch the keeper off her line aiming it high and wide of the net from about 30 yards out.
Jenn Randazzo put in a valiant effort in net. She had a few fine save sequences over the weekend, and stopped 10 shots in total. The 'Eaters earned an 11th save as Sooy redirected a shot honing in on the goal line against UCLA.
UCI's seven corner kicks vs. Santa Clara matches a season-high from 2013 that was set on four occasions.
Three freshman saw their first Anteater action. Andrea Mensen posted 128 minutes to lead the group. Alex Karlowitsch posted 107 minutes with each player earning a start. Grayson Galbraith came on for one minute replacing Nickelberry before the half.
A pair of first-year transfers also earned some playtime. Noel Baham started the opener and played 100 minutes over the weekend. Jenny Konishi subbed into each match adding up 30 minutes on the pitch.
EARLY RETURNS
The 'Eaters are picked to finish second in the Big West behind Cal Poly. Last season, the teams also finished 1-2 in the Big West regular season standings.
This is the third straight season the 'Eaters have been selected to finish second in the Big West preseason poll.
UCI received two first-place votes. Cal Poly received six and Cal State Fullerton received the ninth and final first-place vote.
Two Anteaters were named preseason all-conference in seniors Cami Privett and Laura McGrail. It's the third honor for Privett.
College Sports Madness also released its preseason all-conference squads. Privett landed on the second team. First team was highlighted by McGrail as well as fellow senior Jenna Pellegrino and junior Haley O'Brien.
The Anteaters' non-conference slate features two top-ten squads to start the season out. Top-ranked UCLA hosted the 'Eaters on Aug. 24 defeating them, 3-0. UCI will began the season on the road losing 2-0 at No. 10 Santa Clara.
UCLA is the defending national champion. Santa Clara reached the Sweet Sixteen defeating Cal and Boston University before falling in penalty kicks to Virginia Tech.
Elsewhere on the schedule one other team that appeared in the 2013 NCAA Tournament. UCI and Indiana square off on a neutral site as part of the Auburn Soccer Classic.
Five MAC Hermann watch list players populated the schedule as well. Four players will suit up for UCLA in Abby Dahlkemper, Darian Jenkins, Sarah Killion, and Katelyn Rowland. Santa Clara claims the fifth in Sofia Huerta.
COPA DEL MUNDIAL
A pair of Anteaters have already had plenty to train for over the summer being summoned to the under-20 Women's World Cup. Juniors Clarissa Robles and Claudia Lopez represented Mexico this past month in Canada.
Robles played the entirety of all three matches on the backline. Lopez started two matches as a forward. Mexico failed to advance past the group stage following 1-1 draws to Nigeria and England and a 2-1 loss to South Korea.
FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE
The Anteaters will have more time to shine in the spotlight in 2014. UCI was highlighted on BYUtv winning in the final minute last season. They were also a part of the inaugural ESPN3 stream of the Big West Tournament. The 'Eaters will host the first regular season broadcast of Big West soccer on ESPN3 when they play UC Santa Barbara, Oct. 19, at Anteater Stadium. This season's Big West Tournament again will be featured with FOX Prime Ticket televising the championship match, Sun. Nov. 9.
Elsewhere, a pair of regional networks have picked up Anteater soccer matches. Sunday's match at UCLA was featured on the Pac-12 Network. This week's match at Auburn on Friday has also found a spot on the newly-formed SEC Network.
SOCCER IN THE SOUTH
UCI's non-conference road slate finishes up this week in Alabama. The Auburn Soccer Classic features SEC-power Auburn, NCAA Tournament participant Indiana, and upstart Georgia Southern.
The Tigers and Anteaters meet for the second time, the first coming at Anteater Stadium in 2012 won by UCI, 1-0. Auburn finished 2013 with a record of 8-9-4. opened the year with a 2-1 loss at Clemson before defeating 2013 NCAA Tournament squad, Furman, 2-1. Leading scorers Casie Ramsier, Tori Ball, and Chelsea Gandy-Cromer all return. Haley Gerken led the team with four shots over the weekend while Kristen Dodson recorded a goal and assist to lead the squad with three points.
Indiana advanced to the second round of the 2013 NCAA Tournament with a 15-7-1 record. The 'Eaters have never played a team from the Big Ten Conference or the state of Indiana. The Hoosiers opened the season with a split, defeating Indiana State before falling to Eastern Michigan in a pair of 2-0 results. Indiana's top four scorers from 2013 did not return. Jessie Bujouves has scored both goals for IU matching her 2013 total.
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