IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine fell behind early and was unable to overcome three goals from Lobo forward, Niko Hansen, in Saturday night's match that went deep into the Anteater Stadium night.
UCI (1-6) and New Mexico (5-2) started their match at 8:20 p.m. following a USL professional match, and the Lobos got things going early with a goal in the third minute.
Hansen got the ball near the top of the box and created space eventually lacing a shot inside the right post to give UNM the 1-0 lead.
The Lobos kept on the attack for the next five minutes as Elliot Farmer made a flurry of key saves to keep the match close heading into the half.
The second half began with an unfortunate goal by Farmer. He came out to clear a ball at the top of the ball and the charging Hansen blocked it back and by Farmer into the open net to extend the lead to 2-0 in the 50th minute.
Hansen completed his hat trick in the 56th minute after Sam Gleadle shuffled a pass across that deflected right to Hansen. His first touch slid under Farmer for the three-goal Lobo advantage.
The 'Eaters jumped right back into the match with a perfectly-dealt corner kick from Luis Leon. Matthew Tilley headed it on the other end and sent it over keeper Jason Beaulieu into the back of the next in the 57th minute to cut the score to 3-1.
UCI's offense kept pushing earning six of its seven corners in the second half. None of the shots would fall as the Lobos held on to the 3-1 lead for the victory.
Farmer finished with five saves before being spelled by Alex Waldron in the 66th minute marking the collegiate debut for Waldron who did not record any saves. Beaulieu finished with three saves to his credit.
Tilley's goal is the third of his career, all by header now. Leon added an assist, his second to lead the team.
The 'Eaters fall to 1-6 on the season, the six losses are the most through the team's first seven matches in program history. They will head out on the road next week starting on Thursday, Sept. 22 with a 12:00 p.m. match at Oregon State.
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