IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine cut through a formidable Cal Poly defense Thursday evening in Anteater Stadium with the help from a pair of early strikes to score the 3-1 victory.

Junior Ivan Canales gave UCI (6-4-2, 1-1-1) the opening goal for the ninth time this season just 98 seconds into the match. Nifty midfield passing set up Mario Ortiz high chip into the box that took a friendly bounce to Canales who shoveled a ball inside the far post for the 1-0 Anteater lead in the second minute.

Canales was at it again in the 12th minute after a pass back off the touchline from Erick Gallinar set up Canales who volleyed the ball home to quickly make it 2-0, Anteaters.

The midfielder nearly had a third and even fourth goal all in the first third of match time. His next shot in the 16th minute was similar to his first goal, but a sliding Andrew Forth came out of nowhere to punt the ball off the line and keep Canales from a hat trick. He got yet another chance in the 22nd minute, but mishit his ball near the top of the box rolling on to keeper Simon Boehme.

The Cal Poly (5-6-0, 1-2-0) offense awoke adding chances as the half wore on. Alex Waldron was keen to it all making four saves including a well-timed swat off a curling attempt. The Mustangs did dent the advantage late in the first half. Christian Enriquez's through ball to Jared Pressley caught him in stride along the left wing, and he would beat Waldron inside the far post for a 39th-minute goal cutting the lead to 2-1 as the match hit the half.

The second half was not as precise as the first with nine of the ten shots flying off target. Each side also picked up and early yellow card while the match stayed at 2-1. The only shot that was on frame was a notable one as Giovanni Godoy got another gift through ball from Mario Ortiz, and his chip fell inside the far post putting UCI ahead for good, 3-1.

The three points boost UC Irvine to the top of the South Division now with four points and a 1-1-1 record. Waldron finished with the four saves collecting his fifth win of the season.

The 'Eaters had 1,067 fans in attendance reaching the 1,000-mark for the second consecutive home match and 16th time in program history.

Canales and Godoy each sit atop the team and conference with seven goals each. Canales' brace was the second of his career while Godoy now has five goals in his last five matches. Mario Ortiz scored his first career multi-assist match as he now stands second on the team with five behind Daniel Crisostomo who secured his seventh of the year. Erick Gallinar posted his second assist of the season, and Godoy finish with an assist as well to complete his three-point day.

Pressley's goal for the Mustangs was his first of the year. Boehme finished with one save for Cal Poly while his backline was credited with the other.

The 'Eaters have one last chance to impress against the North Division when they welcome UC Santa Barbara on Saturday in a 7:00 p.m. match in Anteater Stadium.