IRVINE, Calif. --- An 86th-minute score coupled with a key defensive effort in overtime pushed men's soccer to a 1-1 draw Saturday night in Anteater Stadium against Cal Poly.
The big tally came after Jaime Phillips muscled his way down to the touchline before cutting and shoveling a ball across the face of goal that Eduardo Calzada directed home to tie the match at 1-1.
Overtime saw some drama, specifically in the final minute of the first period. Andy Mendoza was issued a second yellow card following a corner kick with time winding down in the period. He was sent off, but UC Irvine (2-6-3, 0-1-1) kept the match even to fight on into the second period.
Both squads battled in the final 10 minutes with golden opportunities. Phillips won a ball charging into the offensive third, cut, and slanted a left-footed shot on frame that was stopped by a sprawling Wade Hamilton.
Cal Poly (6-2-2, 1-0-1) nearly finished it at the death as Kaba Alkebulan was fed and followed it home, but was called offside as the final seconds ticked off.
The Mustangs drew first blood in the fifth minute as Kip Colvey made a run from the backline and beat keeper Michael Breslin to his left inside the far post to put CP up early, 1-0.
The draw earns a point for each side, the 'Eaters' first in the Big West this season. The match saw 31 shots, eight on target, and 33 fouls.
Breslin denied four Mustang shots including a brilliant stop in the 74th minute on an Alkebulan 1v1 try. Hamilton stopped a pair for the Mustangs.
Calzada's goal gives him one in four consecutive matches now while Phillips has provided a point in four straight as well.
UCI will pack up and travel north to play Sacramento State, Thursday, Oct. 8, and UC Davis, Saturday, Oct. 10, to complete its crossover matches on the conference slate.
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