IRVINE, Calif. --- A quick first-half frenzy gave the 'Eaters the start they were looking for, and the defense rode the wave out for a 3-0 victory Sunday afternoon over San Francisco in Anteater Stadium.

San Francisco (4-5-2) held the statistical advantage in the early going despite a brilliant shot from Noel Baham that needed saving from USF's backline, but the Anteaters (5-3-3) found their edge and capitalized in the 20th minute.

The Dons were threatening with a corner kick, but UCI cleared it back out near midfield. Sydney Carr would challenge the defender and it would pay off getting the steal and then off on the break beating the Don keeper, Olivia Camera, on the breakaway to put UCI up, 1-0.

UC Irvine did not take long to add to the lead as Carr was involved again. She fed a cross from the left wing finding a perfectly placed Lili Andino at the far post all alone, and she would tap one home on the doorstep for a 2-0 Anteater lead.

The sides came out of halftime fairly even on the stats, and put the keepers on their games early on with saves on each side. The 'Eaters broke through for the all-important third goal in the 68th minute as Carr was on the case again threading a cross through the box to Kiana Palacios on the other side who would settle the ball and find an opening on the near side to make it 3-0, UCI.

The Anteater reserves made some moves of their own with a flurry of late shots which included a collegiate debut from Shelby Petty. Maria Magaña even took over in net to share in the 3-0 shutout victory with Maddie Newsom.

The shutout for the Anteaters is their seventh through non-conference action as they will enter Big West play with a 5-3-3 overall record. The win also came in front of 1,064 fans - the fifth-largest crowd in program history and seventh time overall the 'Eaters have played in front of at least 1,000 home fans.

Carr's career day finished with four points depositing her first career goal along with an assist on each of the other two. Lili Andino joined her also scoring her first goal of the season while Palacios' goal is her fifth to lead the team, and she added an assist on the afternoon.

Newsom finished with four saves while Camera had five on her end with a team save added on.

The next stop for UC Irvine is back to the road as it jumps into Big West play next week as it heads to Cal Poly (Friday, Sept. 29 - 7:00 p.m.) and UC Santa Barbara (Sunday, Oct. 1 - 1:00 p.m.) as the team ends September and begins a new month.