UC Irvine
Gonzaga
Anteaters Unleash on Gonzaga, 3-0
September 07, 2014 | Women's Soccer
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine finished its weekend with a carbon copy, 3-0 victory over Gonzaga Sunday afternoon in Anteater Stadium.
UCI (2-4-0) got the first good scoring chance, but would connect on its second. Cami Privett won a ball at midfield and found Laura McGrail streaking down the right wing. McGrail settled the pass and drilled a shot, short-side, that Bulldog keeper Christie Tombari got a hand on, but couldn't keep it out as UCI lead, 1-0, in the 7th minute.
Each side had its chances through the remainder of the half including blast from beyond midfield from Privett that nearly caught Tombari off guard, but she recovered, and the match remained 1-0 'Eaters at the half.
The second half began with a bang as Alana Sooy crushed a ball upfield finding Kiana Palacios who shoveled a shot past the oncoming keeper to extend the lead to 2-0 14 seconds into the second half.
Gonzaga (3-3-0) and the 'Eaters exchanged shots until Jasmine Nickelberry danced around the box drawing a foul and earning a penalty kick in the 59th minute. Nickelberry would finish what she started draining the PK into the right side making it 3-0, the eventual final.
McGrail notched her 14th career goal and seventh game-winner. Palacios recorded her first goal and point as an Anteater. Nickelberry registered her second career goal, first PK on her first attempt.
Jenn Randazzo remained alert in net stopping three shots and producing a 180-minute scoreless streak over the weekend.
Gonzaga held the 6-1 corner kick advantage while keeper Tombari stopped four shots.
UCI keeps its homestand going next week with a Friday, 7:00 p.m. match against USD on Sept. 12th.
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