UPCOMING MATCHES
Game Notes
Loyola Marymount Lions at UC Irvine Anteaters
Thursday, September 24, 2015
7:00 PM - Anteater Stadium
Live Stats Tickets Game Program
UC Irvine Anteaters at UCLA Bruins
Sunday, September 27, 2015
7:00 PM - Los Angeles, Calif.
Live Stats Pac-12 Network
SOUTHWEST SNAKEBITTEN
The Anteaters scratched and clawed on its visits to Oral Roberts and SMU only to exit the weekend with a pair of losses to a couple high-octane offenses.
The Golden Eagles came out flying in the first half and the 'Eaters kept up as the squads put up 16 shots and nine of them were turned on frame. The scoring commenced in the 50th minute with ORU taking the lead, and UCI punched back in the 85th minute sliding the equalizer in to force overtime.
The overtime periods put up six shots between the squads, and the only one to find the frame hit the back of the net as a foul in the box gave Oral Roberts a PK opportunity that they did not squander wrapping up the match in the 109th minute dropping UCI 2-1.
The 'Eaters travelled to Southern Methodist with a shuffled roster. This time the 'Eaters punched first with seven shots in the first 20 minutes including two on target in the opening minute. SMU kept up putting six of seven shots on target in the half including the opening tally in the 40th minute. The second half proved to be much tamer all around with sides pressuring but defenses not breaking. SMU converted its second strike of the match in the 62nd minute to complete the 2-0 victory.
Michael Breslin stood tall in net stopping 14 shots on the weekend running his total to 35 on the season and 267 in his career. The nine saves against Oral Roberts are his second-most in a single match. He had 11 as a freshman in a loss to Gonzaga and put up eight twice, both coming against CSUF, once as a sophomore and last year as a junior in the Big West Final.
"Mike has been steady in goal this season," Head Coach Chris Volk reaffirmed. "We need the team to step up and score some goals to relieve some of the pressure he and the defenders have been facing. Mike's experience and leadership will be vital to our team success moving forward."
ORU's 25 shots set a new high of shots allowed by the 'Eaters in a match topping the 24 shots UCSB put up in 1992.
UCI flipped the script against SMU outshooting the Mustangs despite losing. In 2014, four of the 'Eaters' six losses came in matches where they outshot their opponent.
They also earned nine corner kicks in the match, something that happened four times in 2014 including 11 in an overtime win at LMU and 13 in a draw at Cal Poly.
Freshman Ivan Canales had the Anteaters' goal on the weekend giving him two to lead the squad. Both of his strikes have been unassisted as well after taking advantage of defensive miscues.
TURF MONSTERS
There are bright spots to the 'Eaters in the early season with the biggest one coming to the forefront this weekend with a return to Anteater Stadium.
UC Irvine is 1-0-1 at home this season and has yet to allow a goal. This stretch can be traced back through the last five matches where UCI is 3-0-2 and has not allowed a goal in 546 minutes. Through all of that has been keeper Michael Breslin who has denied the last 24 shots on target.
"Our players are excited to being playing at home during Welcome Week. They have experienced five road games and know what it feels like to be the visiting team. We want to encourage the UCI students to come out and support their "Futbol" team."
The Anteaters also return to California with the home contest against LMU and a short trip up to UCLA where they are 1-0-2 this year, adding a draw at USD, and adding 2014 postseason wins at Stanford and UCSB makes the Anteaters 5-0-3 in their last eight matches in the state.
NOTED NOTABLES
The NSCAA preseason polls came out with the Anteaters at No. 20 after finishing the 2014 campaign at No. 14. No. 20 seemed to be the lowest ranking for the 'Eaters in the preseason. The trusty College Soccer News hailed UCI as No. 19 in the nation. Soccer America pegged the 'Eaters as No. 18 along with the newly-minted Hero Sports. Top Drawer Soccer gave UCI the biggest boost at No. 11.
Elsewhere on Top Drawer Soccer are player rankings with two 'Eaters finding their way onto them. TDS ranks the top 100 collegiate players across the country with senior Mats Bjurman coming in at No. 38. His teammate junior Matthew Tilley rounds out the list at No. 100.
The Big West Conference preseason poll chose the 'Eaters to take the Big West South crown. Last season, UCI finished second behind UC Riverside which is where the coaches projected them to land. The all-conference squad consists of seniors Bjurman and Calzada, and junior Michael Sperber.
Freshman Ivan Canales earned the Offensive MVP honor for the SD Central Aztec Tournament. Along with him on the all-tournament team were defensive stars Matthew Tilley, Jack Birkenbeuel, and Michael Breslin.
NON-CONFERENCE CONFIDENCE
The non-conference portion of the slate winds down this week with a pair of local matches against programs with some big firepower.
Loyola Marymount has slid down from its 5-0 start and No. 17 ranking now sitting at 5-3 following losses to Missouri State and ranked New Mexico and American squads. The 2014 Lions finished 9-4-6 churning through eight overtime matches which included a 3-2 loss to UCI ended by a Gor Kirakosyan penalty kick in the 110th minute.
Sophomore Alvaro Madrigal paces the offense with four goals and two assists in the early going. He has one of the four game-winning goals spread around four players including sophomore Grant Sampson who has delivered two of his three goals as game-winners.
The youth on this team is prevalent leading to lots of minutes scattered amongst them. The stalwarts on the backline of freshman Cole Souza and juniors Jose Ochoa and Mark Dotseth have each put up over 650 minutes while allowing less than a goal per match.
Senior Paul Blanchette had been the man in net through the first seven matches saving 25 shots and pitching four shutouts. Senior Vince Paldino got the call last match in a 2-1 loss stopping three shots.
The Lions have put up wins in all three true road matches this season. All-time, UCI holds the 14-8-1 edge against LMU including seven wins at home. The programs have not met in Anteater Stadium since 2003 which was also the last meeting before last year's matchup.
The week wraps up Sunday night on the Pac-12 Network with a venture to UCLA.
The 2014 Bruins trudged through a 14-5-5 season to reach the NCAA Championship only to lose to Virginia in PKs. The 2015 Bruins had bounced between home wins and losses at ranked teams to go 2-2 before a devastating overtime loss to UC Riverside. They completed their three-match run against Big West squads with a dominant win against Cal Poly and a drubbing at the hands of UCSB.
The last two meetings between UCI and UCLA have been entertaining to say the least. UCI squandered a late lead allowing two goals in the final 10 minutes in a 2-1 loss at UCLA in 2012. The 2013 'Eaters welcomed the Bruins to Anteater Stadium for the first time in over a decade and put up a 3-1 win. All-time, the Bruins have won 15 of the 18 matches including eight at UCLA. The lone Anteater victory at UCLA came in 2001.
The scoring has been distributed among the likes of freshmen Jackson Yueill and Jose Hernandez and sophomores Abu Danladi and Seyi Adekoya. The defensive front of seniors Grady Howe and Edgar Contreras flanked by sophomore Chase Gasper and junior Michael Amick have held firm at the back.
Junior Juan Cervantes has been the go-to in net with 15 saves over six matches. Freshman Dakota Havlick made an appearance taking the loss to UC Riverside.
"Our non-conference schedule has been slated with many Top 25 opponents. We want our players to have the opportunity to compete against these nationally recognized programs. We will focus on LMU Thursday, and be prepared for our game on Sunday at UCLA. Our players are very motivated for both games."
One familiar face will return to Anteater Stadium in Connor Johnson who spent his freshman season with 'Eaters. Nine other local products also return including Irvine-native freshman Justin Carpenter.
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