'Eaters Break Through for First Big West Win at Cal Poly
October 08, 2016 | Men's Soccer
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. --- UC Irvine shook off its early Big West results with a big 2-0 victory Saturday night at Cal Poly in Spanos Stadium.
The Anteaters (3-10, 1-3) benefitted from a full team effort which included first career starts from three of its players – Jose Ortiz, Logan Wyner, and Corey Schramm – as well as stellar play from each of its goalkeepers to earn the combined shutout on the evening.
The scoring began in the 28th minute as a long Ivan Canales feed from midfield hit a streaking Randall McDermott who finished his first career goal and put the 'Eaters up 1-0.
UCI put up the only two shots on frame while taking the one-goal lead into the half.
Cal Poly (2-7-2, 0-3-1) kept the heat on with some early chances in the second half culminating in a pivotal sequence in the 59th minute.
The Mustangs whipped in a corner kick that was initially cleared off the line. CP put the ball back in, and turned a shot on goal that Alex Waldron stopped. While laying on the goalline with the ball, a Mustang poked it out from his mitts and across the goalline that was immediately turned back by an 'Eater defender. Each side had a conflicting view of the call, and the center official ultimately decided on no goal and the 'Eaters were awarded a free kick keeping the game at 1-0 in UCI's favor.
Shortly thereafter, Waldron had to come off from the contact he got in the scrum, and on came senior Elliot Farmer to take his spot.
Farmer was tested quickly having to stop a wide-open chance in the 69th minute sliding and stopping the shot with his legs to preserve the score.
UCI would eventually put some breathing room between them and the Mustangs in the 75th minute as Jorge Lara headed home a corner kick that bounded through defenders and the keeper up under the crossbar to make it 2-0 Anteaters.
Farmer would finish out the match collecting three saves, and Cal Poly's 11-shot half was for naught giving the 'Eaters their first Big West win, 2-0.
McDermott also earned the game-winner on top of his first career tally. Lara's goal was the third for the sophomore. Canales provided assists on each goal giving him two on the season now and seven in his career.
Waldron takes home the win, his second of the season, adding one save to the four total between him and Farmer.
In addition to the three first-time starters, Manny Acosta entered as a first half sub and played 22 minutes in his collegiate debut.
The win gives UCI its first three Big West points, and instantly vaults them into the playoff picture tying them with Cal State Fullerton in the Big West South.
UCI returns to Southern California to start South play with a match Wednesday, Oct. 12 at UC Riverside with a start time of 7:00 p.m.
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