Anteaters Fall, 3-1, to Real Salt Lake in Spring Tussle
February 12, 2015 | Men's Soccer
IRVINE, Calif. --- The start of the spring soccer season was marked by a 3-1 defeat to MLS club Real Salt Lake Saturday afternoon in Anteater Stadium.
The match marked the beginning of RSL's preseason schedule as it prepares for its season-opener, and came during a 10-day training session on campus.
The Anteaters got on the board first grabbing the 1-0 lead in the 24th minute. A Mats Bjurman free kick just outside the left side of the box found a streaking Jack Birkenbeuel near the far post, and after RSL keeper, Jeff Attinella, got a fingertip on the cross, it fell to Birkenbeuel who headed it down and just over the goal line for the 1-0 lead.
The 'Eaters nearly increased their advantage after Felipe Silva had a led a breakout, but his left-footed shot bounded wide.
Real Salt Lake responded in the 36th minute with a perfectly placed free kick that barred down off the crossbar and in from Luke Mulholland.
RSL then earned a penalty kick just before the half that Devon Sandoval put away giving RSL the 2-1 edge. RSL added a final tally after a low pass across the box was clipped by Birkenbeuel and on net resulting in an own goal to make it 3-1, Real Salt Lake.
Thanks to UCI for hosting us these last 9 days coach Volk @KeithCostigan Good luck in your up coming season!
— Jeff Cassar (@jeffcassar) February 12, 2015
The win for RSL was revenge for a 2-0 loss last spring against UC Irvine. The 'Eaters continue their spring slate with some collegiate tilts before travelling to StubHub Center to take on USL-Pro squad, LA Galaxy II, and finishing up with a visit once again from Japanese university, Ryutsu Keizai.
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