SOUTH BEND, Ind. --- UC Irvine found its footing in its final match of the Mike Berticelli Memorial Tournament, but could not overcome the No. 15 Hoosiers in a 3-1 defeat to end the weekend.
Indiana (2-0) grabbed the early advantage after a Luis Leon yellow card set up a free kick along the left wing. A high cross toward the far post hit a hanging Grant Lillard who headed it home for the 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
The score held into the half despite the Anteaters (0-2) with the 5-3 shot advantage.
The offense found its form as the second half began with Jose Ortiz getting UCI on the board in the 64th minute. He dribbled the ball around near the top of the box, wheeled and circled about until finding some space and lifting a left-footed shot into the upper left to tie things up at 1-1.
Indiana got the lead back 12 minutes later as Tanner Thompson streaked up the left side and into the box. He cut across and found an open area to fire a bullet into the right side to make it 2-1 in the 76th minute.
The Hoosiers added a final tally with nine seconds left to finish the match at 3-1.
The Anteaters were stricken with quite of few bumps and bruises. Thomas Janjigian left in the eighth minute with a cut above his eye that kept him out for the half, and IU's first goal came right in his position.
Cramps and cuts plagued the 'Eaters throughout the second half limiting a lot of the play. Ortiz was one bright spot putting away his first career goal.
Elliot Farmer stopped three shots in the contest giving him 10 for the weekend.
UCI drops to 0-2 to begin the year, but it will return to Anteater Stadium next week playing host to Grand Canyon on Fri. Sept. 2 at 7:30 p.m.
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