UPCOMING MATCHES
Game Notes
UC Irvine Anteaters at San Diego Toreros
Friday, September 11, 2015
7:00 PM - San Diego, Calif.
Live Stats Live Stream
San Diego State Aztecs at UC Irvine Anteaters
Sunday, September 13, 2015
7:00 PM - Anteater Stadium
Live Stats Game Program
MAIZE DAZE
The Anteaters ran into a buzzsaw in Omaha falling to UNO, 1-0, and following that up Sunday evening with a rain-soaked 4-0 defeat to third-ranked Creighton.
The Mavericks popped UCI right from the start banging in nine shots in the first 23 minutes capped off by a brilliant volley of a goal off a long, arching lead pass that stood as the lone tally in the match.
Head Coach Chris Volk acknowledged that the Mavericks put them on their heels to start the match, and the 'Eaters' counterpunch down the stretch just never found the back of the net.
The squad looked to regroup against a powerful Bluejay squad on Sunday, but found themselves behind early once again. Lightning struck twice in the first 10 minutes, and then struck for real in the 27th minute halting the match for an hour.
The match resumed with a little more even keel, but Creighton took advantage of a PK try just before the half making it 3-0 and riding that to a 4-0 win in front of 2,326 in Morrison Stadium.
"We faced two solid opponents on the road this weekend," voiced coach Volk. "We continue to improve in the areas of our possession and transition to attack, but have lacked quality chances around the goal. Our attacking players must be more decisive in the final third."
EARLY BOOKINGS
There haven't been many numbers to run through the first three matches, but some meaningful stats can be run for the 'Eaters.
UC Irvine has not been afraid to mix it up earning five yellow cards through the early going. It's actually down from its total last season of 35 in their 25 matches played that still landed them in the bottom half of the conference.
One red card has been handed out to UCI, which came post-match against Omaha. The Anteaters are among six Big West schools to receive a red thus far. The 2014 Anteaters were one of two schools (Cal Poly) to not brandish a red card throughout the season.
Senior keeper Michael Breslin has made some outstanding stops early on in the season. With 10 saves in three matches, he stands one away from tying Cameron Rossi for fourth all-time in program history with 242 saves. Andrew Fontein follows him on the list at third with 249.
UC Irvine's offensive presence is evident. Despite hoisting just over eight shots a match, second-lowest in the conference, it is the only squad to earn 10+ corners and be called for offside 10+ times providing sustained pressure throughout its contests.
Coach Volk has seen growth in all sectors including team chemistry stating, "being on the road was a good experience, but we are focused on becoming more competitive and doing what is necessary to get good results."
NOTED NOTABLES
UC Irvine has earned a perennial spot in the rankings. 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.
Lately, the 'Eaters have fallen in many of the rankings receiving only votes in College Soccer News and Top Drawer Soccer. Hero Sports has them rated at No. 27 while the NSCAA has dropped UCI completely from the poll.
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 is also up with the 'Eaters chosen to take the Big West South crown. Last season, UCI finished second behind UC Riverside which is exactly where the coaches projected them to land. The all-conference preseason squad consists of three Anteaters, a pair of seniors in Bjurman and Calzada, and junior Michael Sperber.
SAN DIEGO SPLENDOR
The Anteaters return to Southern California this weekend with a duo of San Diego programs on the docket.
UCI flips the script from 2014 where they travelled to San Diego State and hosted USD. The 2014 match with San Diego was a bit of an anomaly being played at Anteater Recreation Center. Gor Kirakosyan netted and overtime winner for the 'Eaters in a 1-0 victory stretching the current streak to four straight wins for UCI in their 26th all-time meeting.
USD has trended upward in 2015 after its 2014 season ended at 11-6-4 with a Second Round overtime loss to UCLA in the NCAA Tournament following a First Round win over Cal State Fullerton. This year's Toreros are 2-1-1 trumping No. 16 Cal to open the season, and have since done the same to UC Riverside, drawn with New Mexico, and fallen to Denver.
San Diego has not shied away from the net scoring in all four contests and multiple times in three. Seniors Torrey DeArmas and Keegan Smith each have a pair on the year while seniors Darragh Vieyra and Marvin Schmiege have also pelted the net with shots.
Sophomore Thomas Olsen has been the rock in net allowing four goals in as many matches stopping 15 shots. His backline of juniors Merlin Hoeckendorff and Parker Price, and seniors Patrick Zimmer and Jose Merlo bring plenty of veteran leadership and cohesion as the defense year in and year out provides the staple.
UCI and San Diego State square off Sunday evening in Anteater Stadium. The 'Eaters travelled to SDSU last season, but played Clemson and Denver in a tournament. The last meeting between them was in 2013, a 1-0 Anteater victory.
This will be the 23rd all-time match between the two with SDSU coming off a 7-12 campaign in 2014. The 2015 Aztecs are 3-0 scoring three times in each of their home wins over Grand Canyon, George Washington, and San Diego Christian.
Senior Rene Reyes has been the offensive force scoring four goals. Other shots have flown courtesy of sophomore Jeroen Meefout and junior Casey Macias.
The defense of Casey Phillips, Matt Callahan, Ozzie Ramos, and Kyle Adams have stood tall in front of an array of young Aztec keepers. Sophomore Adam Allmaras has two starts allowing one goal while freshmen Keenan Townsend and Nedin Tucakovic split a match with all three pulling down one save.
A long list of local players dot each roster, but three area players return home in Irvine natives midfielders Casey Macias and Greg Norris along with Costa Mesa product junior forward Luke Ackerman.
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