UPCOMING MATCHES
Game Notes
Cal State Fullerton Titans at UC Irvine Anteaters
Friday, October 16, 2015
7:00 PM - Anteater Stadium
Live Stats Tickets Game Program
Long Beach State 49ers at UC Irvine Anteaters
Sunday, October 18, 2015
6:00 PM - Anteater Stadium
Live Stats ESPN3 Tickets Game Program
TWO-TIMED
The Anteaters completed a third straight week with just one match falling victim to CSUN, 2-0, on Thursday night. A scoreless first half gave way to Cynthia Sanchez netting a pair in the 54th and 72nd minutes despite UCI outshooting the Matadors, 15-13, en route to the shutout win.
The result marked the ninth time in 13 matches that UCI and its opponent managed two or fewer goals in the contest. UCI has also been a part of 11 shutouts on the season, five of which at the hands of the Anteater defense and Corey Tobin. Tobin is slowing climbing up the Anteater goalkeeping ranks now sixth all-time with 18 wins and tied for seventh with 11 shutouts.
BIG WEST BUMPER CARS
The Big West was rated 10th in the country following non-conference play with a 50-34-13 non-conference record. It was also one of 12 conferences to win at least 50 matches, and its 34 losses were the fifth-least in the nation.
The Big West found success against the Big Sky (11-1) and Mountain West (8-3-2) conferences along with spotless marks against the Summit League (5-0) and WAC (4-0). It matched up against the West Coast Conference the most going 5-12-7 in 24 matches. It also fared 2-10-2 against the Pac-12.
The race for the top four spots has been very erratic through the early going. LBSU and CSUN have each gotten out of the blocks unscathed unbeaten in each of their first three matches.
Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside have done well to secure six of nine possible points through their first three matches.
UC Davis, Cal Poly, and Hawai'i have all played four matches. The Rainbow Wahine have dug an 0-4 hole to this point, while the struggles of the Aggies and Mustangs are a tad surprising.
Each came in with some of the best non-conference resumes, but have faltered, granted its mostly been against the schools in the top half of the table.
UCI stands in a favorable position after just two matches with three points. Along with the Gauchos, UC Irvine still stands to make up at least one match from the rest of the conference and two matches to some (UC Davis, Cal Poly, Hawai'i) in the standings with pivotal matches looming this week.
COUNTY CLASHES
UCI has a tall order this week as it heads back to its two-match week rotation against the defending champs Cal State Fullerton and Black and Blue Rivalry Series combatant Long Beach State.
First up are the Titans Friday night who defeated UCI last season in Fullerton, 3-1, snapping UCI's six-match unbeaten run against then (4-0-2). The last time CSUF was at Anteater Stadium, it advanced through to the Big West Final on penalty kicks. The 2015 Titans are 10-2-1 with its two losses coming at formidable Washington State and LBSU. Like the 'Eaters, it was a two-goal victor over Idaho State while they defeated Richmond in exhibition play.
The senior tandem of Rebecca Wilson (14 G, 4 A) and Christina Burkenroad (6 G, 7 A) have rarely been slowed down putting home nine of the squad's game-winners and half (98-of-196) of their shots.
The defense is lined with senior Morgan Batcheller, junior Jazzmin Mancilla, sophomore Kaycee Hoover, and freshman Amanda Larsson who have started 11 matches as a unit. Junior Jennifer Stuart has been the backstop for 10 matches posting a 0.76 goals-against-average and 33 saves. Sophomore Morgan Bertsch has seen time in seven matches, starting three, and allowing seven goals and their two losses.
UCI and LBSU duke it out Sunday night on ESPN3. The squads played to a 1-1 draw in 2014 with the road team taking five of the six matches prior to it.. The 2015 49ers have three wins in three Big West matches taking down the likes of CSUF, Cal Poly, and UCSB. It also has a win over UCLA, draws to USC and UCD, while falling by one goal to Auburn, LMU, and BYU.
Sophomore Ashley Gonzales has led the charge with six goals, five coming as game-winners. Senior Melanie Fox has followed with three goals and two assists. Fox also powers the defense with Mimis Akaogi and Rangel paired with a mix of sophomore Allie Emmons, sophomore Kayla Lombardo, and freshman Sarah Maher. Ashton McKeown has dominated in net saving 50 shots and recording nine shutouts along with her 0.48 goals-against-average having played all by 32 minutes.
CSUF seems to come out fast relying on outscoring their opposition. The Titans and 'Eaters allow more shots than most of the conference besides Cal Poly and Hawai'i. LBSU relies on their defense much like UCSB and UC Davis by not allowing shots and, in turn, shots on target. LBSU's below-average offense often hurts it when giving up that rare goal.
All three squads seem to all have discipline in common. The 49ers do get their share of cards, but all fall in the bottom three in amount of fouls committed.
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