IRVINE, Calif. --- Men's soccer jumped right back into the Big West South race with a big 84th-minute goal from Jaime Phillips to down the 10-man UC Riverside squad, 1-0, Wednesday night in Anteater Stadium.
The match's lone goal was served up by Luis Leon actually who gathered a ball inside the box and shoveled it on goal. Phillips fought for position in front of him, and nicked the shot as it went by slotting it inside the left post and over the line after a couple of bounces to finally break through for the 1-0 lead.
UC Irvine (3-8-3, 1-3-1) locked down the remaining six minutes and change which included a key save from Michael Breslin, one of his six on the night, to thwart a perfect flick from a diving Stephen Copley to preserve the shutout.
The match really turned on its head just 96 seconds into the second half as UCR keeper Ashkan Khosravi came way out of his net to challenge an otherwise all-alone Ivan Canales, and arrived a split-second late to trip him up and draw the red card leaving UC Riverside (5-8-1, 1-4-0) down a man for the remainder of the match.
The Anteaters peppered the net plenty throughout the half honing 11 of their 20 shots on the match following the expulsion. They had their chances which included three team saves on the night, half of the six total, including a brilliant sliding kick save denying a possible goal straight off a corner to keep the match even in the 70th minute.
The first half was scoreless, but could have easily seen three scores to each side. UCR forwards Norberto Ochoa and Andre Parada each had golden opportunities from inside the box that were obliterated, but went inches high.
UCI had their opportunities to break through as well with one team save off a Mats Bjurman rebound shot following Canales' attempt that rang squarely off the post. Bjurman had a laser volley from 18 yards out surely heading into the net, but Phillips popped his head up and blocked the attempt in the less-sightly of his shot redirects.
Phillips' goal reasserts him as the team's point leader with 13, and he's tied with Eduardo Calzada and Ivan Canales with four goals each. He also extends his impressive point streak to seven matches. One first for the senior was getting his first game-winner of his Anteater career.
Leon's assist was his first on the season and of his career. The clean sheet for the Anteaters is their first in a month and third overall. Breslin now has 292 career saves while earning career win No. 39 and shutout No. 26.
The result gives every Big West school a conference win, and jumps the 'Eaters into a tie for second with CSUN after they lost to Cal State Fullerton, 1-0. CSUF stands atop the South with 10 points to the four points of UCI and CSUN. The Highlanders sit not too far off with three points.
Next up for the 'Eaters is a trip to South leader Cal State Fullerton Saturday night, Oct. 17, at 7:00 p.m.
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