UC Irvine Lets Lead Slip to New Mexico, 2-1

Sunday, September 10

Albuquerque, NM

5:00 PM

UC Irvine

3-2-1

New Mexico

4-2-0

Team	1	2	Final F
UC Irvine	1	0	1
New Mexico	1	1	2

UC Irvine Lets Lead Slip to New Mexico, 2-1

September 10, 2017 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Alex Croteau

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. --- UC Irvine jumped on the host Lobos Sunday night at UNM Soccer Comlex, but could not hang onto the lead falling, 2-1, to undo their unbeaten streak.

The offense got off to a great start nearly scoring on the game's first shot. In the 2nd minute, a ball was fed forward to Christian Carrillo who maneuvered around the keeper, but his rushed shot sliced wide of the net. The Anteaters (3-2-1) made good on their attack in the 11th minute as Mario Ortiz and his brother Jose Ortiz linked up with Jose slicing a slick ball inside the far post to put the 'Eaters on top, 1-0, in the 11th minute.

New Mexico (4-2-0) led the attack for the rest of the half piling up the shots and possession, and finally broke through for an equalizer in the 39th minute. Multiple blocked shots would lead to Antoine Vial gathering a ball near the left post and angling in a very hard-angle shot through traffic and in making it 1-1 right before the half.

UNM grabbed the lead in the 52nd minute as Aaron Scott's corner kick found Aaron Herrera dead center of the box who would forcefully head home a goal and make it 2-1.

The Lobos continued to to hold majority of the possession down the remainder of the half, and nearly pushed the lead to two goals in the 79th minute. Sam Gleadle stepped up for a penalty kick after drawing a foul in the box, but Alex Waldron with a clutch diving save to keep the match at 2-1.

This followed an interesting sequence in the 67th minute. After a yellow card was issued to Ivan Canales in the 66th minute, the referee stopped the match a minute later to issue red cards to each head coach before resuming the match.

The Lobo defense locked down from then on to steal a win away from the Anteaters, 2-1.

The Ortiz brothers joined in on their first goal together since joining the program. Jose's goal was his third all-time and his first point of the season. Mario's assist matches his total for assists (3) and points (5) from last season. Waldron made three saves including the PK save in the 79th minute, the second of his career.

As a result, Mario Ortiz was named to the a All-Tournament team along with Ivan Canales.

UCI splits on the weekend at the Grange and Ashwill Invitational. It will return home for a match on Monday, Sept. 18 at 7:00 p.m. welcoming in Lipscomb University to Anteater Stadium.