IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine got back to its winning ways trumping ACC foe Pittsburgh in its visit to Anteater Stadium Sunday afternoon to the tune of 3-0.
Kiana Palacios and Alex Karlowitsch were the popular duo in the match hooking up twice on set piece goals twice. The first came in the 22nd minute as Karlowitsch lofted a free kick to the far post that Palacios headed in to give UCI (5-1) the 1-0 lead.
UC Irvine took its lead into the half, and the tandem resurfaced for a carbon copy of the first goal in the 49th minute to extend the lead to 2-0.
The 'Eaters stretched its shot advantage to as much as 14-1 later in the second half as Pitt (1-4-1) didn't get its first shot on target until the 78th minute. Maddie Newsom only needed to stop two shots to earn her third shutout of the season as UCI tacked on a third goal, again on a set piece, from Andrea Mensen whose cross found the back of the net directly to make it 3-0 in the 86th minute.
The Anteaters could have had two more goals had it not been for some quick clearances off the line from Pittsburgh defenders, but UCI would close things out for the 3-0 victory.
The 'Eaters finished with 15 shots to the Panthers' four. Pitt keeper Taylor Francis worked four saves for the Panthers as she fell to 1-4-1.
Palacios now takes a commanding lead of the team goal total with six and her second two-goal match of the season. She's now responsible for three of the five Anteater game-winners as well.
Karlowitsch adds to her assist total with three now on the season while Mensen's goal was her first of the season and second career.
The win puts UCI back on track now at 5-1 as it ventures back on the road for its next five matches starting with a tournament at Cal State Fullerton next week that opens Friday, Sept. 9 for the 'Eaters against Oregon.
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