CORVALLIS, Ore. --- UC Irvine returned to the win column with a powerful performance Thursday afternoon at Lorenz Field taking advantage of Oregon State mistakes to grab a 1-0 road victory.
The sides were rather methodical in a scoreless first half. Giovanni Godoy had a golden opportunity for the opening goal in the ninth minute after the Oregon State (4-3-1) keeper slipped on his kick gifting the ball to Godoy, but his left-footed strike was lifted over the empty net.
The Anteaters (2-6) were the aggressors through most of the first half and early in the second with another great chance by Luis Leon that was saved away by a charging Beaver defender.
The match really turned in the 53rd minute as a hard foul on the sideline to Michael Sperber drew a straight red card to David Chimento dropping OSU to 10 men. Soon thereafter, the 'Eaters struck in the 55th minute as Thomas Janjigian whipped a cross into the box that bounced to Mario Ortiz who volleyed home a strike inside the left post for the 1-0 UCI lead.
UCI kept the offense pressure up with the man advantage, but it would be a defensive moment that put the game away in the 75th minute.
A Daniel Crisostomo foul on the edge of the box granted Oregon State a penalty kick. Jordan Jones stepped up, but was turned away by a sprawling Alex Waldron denying the equalizer and keeping the match, 1-0, to the 'Eaters.
UCI would see that score out to the end picking up its second win of the season and halting a four-match losing streak.
Waldron made the most of his first career start totaling four saves on the afternoon and picking up his first win and shutout. Colin Wirth on the OSU end stopped two shots and got help on a third by his backline.
Ortiz's goal was the four of his career, third game-winner, and first since the 2014 season. Assists were awarded to Janjigian, the seventh of his career, and Michael Sperber, his fourth.
UC Irvine finished with a slight advantage in shots, 10-8, along with six of the game's seven corners. The Anteaters held much of the possession, and were drawn offside 10 times, a season-high.
UCI's non-conference slate wraps up this weekend as its on to Portland for a 3:00 p.m. match Sunday, Sept. 25.
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