IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine bounced back from Friday's match to rout Toledo Sunday afternoon, 3-0, in Anteater Stadium.
The Anteaters (2-1-2) started quickly scoring in the second minute as
Reema Bzeih's cross was helped along by
Kiana Palacios for the goal. There was some confusion as to whether the play was offside, but the goal stood and UCI took the 1-0 lead.
The lead grew in the 21st minute as Bzeih was on the scene again finding Palacios who continued on to
Shelby Lee who would whirl and volley a ball off the post and in for her first career goal for the 2-0 edge.
The sides exchanged blows throughout the middle portion of the match, and Toledo (1-2-1) getting the better chances. Chiara Paradiso blasted a set piece that knuckled to Madde Newsom in the 52nd minute, and a costly turnover in the 63rd minute fould Alena Sidwell wide open for a 1v1 chance that slithered around Newsom and off the post to keep the Rockets off the board.
UCI would finally put the game away in the 81st minute started by a
Jonnae Joseph cross that found
Sydney Carr, and her volley fluttered across goal to
Noel Baham who finished for the eventual final of 3-0.
Palacios put home her third goal of the week and second game-winner. She added an assist giving her 52 points for her career making her the 12th Anteater to eclipse 50 points in her career. Reema Bzeih had a pair of assists, the second time in her career she's done that. Lee's first career goal was joined by first career assists from
Sydney Carr and
Maritza Acuna on the afternoon.
Toledo hung tough putting up seven shots with three that Newsom needed to save and a fourth headed off the line by
Aleah Kelley in the early going. Altogether, the 'Eaters extended their shutout streak to 420 minutes. Rocket keeper Madison Perrin stopped six of the 15 shots she faced.
The 'Eaters go 2-0-1 on the week in their brief homestand, and will head back on the road for a game as they travel to LMU on Friday, Sept. 8 for a 7:00 p.m. match
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