IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine celebrated its newest teammate Wednesday night in Anteater Stadium, and gave him and the fans a show with two goals in the final seven minutes to shock UC Riverside late with a 2-1 victory.

The excitement began in the 84th minute as the UCI (5-13-0, 3-6-0) attack finally broke through. A ball put into the box was cleared by a Highlander defender right to Michael Sperber who gathered his shot and ripped a half-volley from 35 yards out by the diving keeper to knot things up at 1-1.

UC Riverside (9-8-1, 4-4-1) nearly snatched the lead back in the 86th minute as Eduardo Sanchez drove with an Anteater defense hanging on him. His shot was stuffed by Alex Waldron, and the rebound fell to Emilio Huerta who was also shut down by Waldron to preserve the tie.

The attack rolled on as Randall McDermott raced to the other end just 20 seconds later, and he sliced a shot off the outside of his foot curving it around the keeper and placing it perfectly in the back of the net to give UC Irvine the 2-1 lead in the 86th minute.

The 'Eaters were able to run out the clock and score the 2-1 win for Julio Godoy and his family. UCI's newest team member was honored before the match with a captain's armband, the ceremonial first kick, and a ball signed by the whole squad, and he helped the 'Eaters fight back from a deficit to earn their fifth win of the season.

UCR got the scoring going with a well-played set piece in the 56th minute. Romario Lomeli chipped a ball in from about 35 yards, and Jacob Arrieta flew in to head the ball along and inside the left post to give the Highlanders a 1-0 edge.

The teams played to a scoreless first half with the Highlanders snagging a majority of the scoring chances. Waldron made three of his five saves in the half while the 'Eaters put a pair on Vincent Morales.

Morales was cut down in the second half, however, as he had to exit in the 75th minute after a scrum in the box in the 71st minute left him hurting. He tried to tough it out, but was down again just three minutes later and replaced by David Heredia who unfortunately took the loss in his first action of the season stopping one shot. Morales finished with six saves on his end.

The goals for Sperber and McDermott were each the second of their careers. Sperber's was the first since his sophomore season while McDermott has put each home in 2016, both now game-winners.

The Anteaters have one final match left to be played Saturday night, Oct. 29, beginning at 7:00 p.m. against Cal State Fullerton. The team will honor its seniors prior to the match.

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