IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine got back to level down the stretch Sunday afternoon in Anteater Stadium, but Florida Gulf Coast answered right back earning the 2-1 win.
Dennis Zapata got behind the defense in the 79th minute to give FGCU (1-2-1) the go-ahead goal and a 2-1 edge.
Just a minute earlier, the Anteaters (1-3) had equalized after a nifty play along the endline from Mario Ortiz to feed Luis Leon in the box who put home a header and tie the match, 1-1, in the 78th minute.
UCI was unfortunate in its attempts to level things up a second time with two close calls in the waning minutes. Leon fought for position along the same endline and was tripped up in the box, but play continued on. Minutes later, the 'Eaters shot a hard cross through the box that was knocked down by what looked at first like a hand of an Eagle defender, but play continued on once again turning the UCI advances away and ending the in favor of FGCU, 2-1.
The Eagles got the first goal early in the match as Albert Ruiz and Dylan Sacramento teamed up for the opening strike in the second minute.
UCI did take the slight shot advantage from the match at 12-10 while both squads turned six shots on frame. Sawyer Jackman stood tall in net for the Eagles with five saves. Elliot Farmer stopped four shots for the Anteaters.
Leon put home his fourth career goal and first of the season while Mario Ortiz has now assisted on two of the three UCI goals in 2016. His brother, Jose Ortiz, led all players with five shots directing three on frame.
The loss gives the squad a split for the weekend, now 1-3 on the season. It treks back out on the road next week for one match at Santa Clara, Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7:30 p.m.
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