IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine commanded every aspect of the match, but came up on the wrong end of the score falling to Portland, 1-0, Sunday afternoon in Anteater Stadium.
UCI (8-4) did not let off the gas through the whole match holding a majority of the possession in the match running up 21 shots total to Portland's eight.
The eighth shot for Portland (6-2-2) was the biggest, however, as Natalie Muth put away a loose-ball scramble in the box in the 97th minute to snag the win away from the Anteaters.
The Pilots were held without a shot in the entire first half, and didn't put a shot on target until late in regulation testing Maddie Newsom twice, both for saves, in the first 90.
The 'Eaters amassed a number of chances turning the ball on net eight times with Pilot keeper Rachel Lusby saving six of them, and her defensive backline reining in the other two.
Kiana Palacios was denied despite eight shots and three on frame. Her best chance came in the 77th minute created by one of many swift runs up the right wing by Noel Baham. Her pass back from the touchline found a wide open Palacios in the middle of the box who redirected it toward goal, but Lusby wrangled it into her outstretched arms to keep things scoreless.
The Anteaters had a chance to put the game away late in the 87th minute. A high cross bounced harmlessly through the box and found Alex Karlowitsch near the right post, but she put something extra behind her attempt lacing it hard and high over the bar in what could have been the convincing blow.
The loss drops UCI to 8-4 as non-conference play concludes, and into a three-game losing streak. All four defeats have now come by a 1-0 score.
In addition to Palacios' contribution, three other 'Eaters had three shots including Kelsey Texeira and Jessica Miclat each turning a pair on goal.
Next up for the 'Eaters is Big West play that begins next week on the road with a trip to Long Beach State for a 7:00 p.m. match on Friday, Sept. 30.
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