Anteaters Blindsided in 4-3 Overtime Loss
September 27, 2015 | Men's Soccer
LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- A match for the books fell to the home UCLA Bruins Sunday night in Drake Stadium taking down men's soccer, 4-3, in overtime.
The dagger fell in the 98th minute as Jose Hernandez chipped a shot over the oncoming Michael Breslin and rolled it across the line to complete the comeback.
The turning point in the match came early in the 13th minute as defender Malcolm Jones was issued a straight red card to put the Bruins down to 10 men. The match remained scoreless into the half.
UC Irvine (2-5-2) got the wheels going in the 52nd minute as Mats Bjurman and Gerardo Gonzalez built the attack feeding Jaime Phillips whose volley whizzed past the keeper to make it 1-0.
The Anteaters added a second in the 61st minute from Eduardo Calzada and a third in the 67th from Ivan Canales to build an impressive 3-0 lead.
UCLA (4-4-0) stemmed the momentum in the 69th minute after Seyi Adekoya smashed a free kick off the mitts of Breslin plinking the far post and in to make it 3-1.
Adekoya drew UCI closer in the 84th minute punching home a rampant corner kick between Breslin's legs.
As the 'Eaters attempted to salt away the clock, the Bruins charged ahead once more and found the equalizer with 10 seconds to go in regulation off the eventual winner's foot, Jose Hernandez.
Despite the result, UCI had big offensive nights from Calzada, a goal, an assist, and a team-high four shots, and Gerardo Gonzalez, two assists.
Keeper Michael Breslin stopped one shot and rustled up numerous crossing attempts.
The loss drops the Anteaters to 2-5-2 in non-conference play, and now they set their sights on Big West action this week beginning Thursday night in Anteater Stadium with a 7:00 p.m. match against No. 25 UC Santa Barbara.
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