IRVINE, Calif. --- Senior
Ivan Canales led his fellow seniors and Anteaters scoring twice Wednesday night in Anteater Stadium topped by the game-winner in double overtime to defeat Cal State Fullerton, 2-1.
From the first minute, UC Irvine (10-4-2, 4-0-1) had the edge after a foul in the box by Cal State Fullerton (6-4-6, 2-2-1) put the 'Eaters on the penalty spot. Canales stepped up and beat keeper Paul-Andre Guerin to open the scoring 52 seconds into match for the 1-0 Anteater lead.
The Titans ratcheted up the attack through the rest of the half with nine shots to UCI's three, and the eighth one made the biggest impact. In the 39th minute, Mark Hernandez drove the left wing around and down the touchline putting a pass into the box for Christian Pinzon who popped a shot on frame and in off the crossbar tying things up just prior to the half, 1-1.
The 'Eaters went back on the attack in the second stanza firing 13 shots with four needing to be saved by Guerin including one somehow kept from completely crossing the goalline, and the match spilled over into overtime for the second straight time for UCI.
The Titans had the better of the chances in the first overtime including a strike in the first minute, and then nearly putting one home minutes later after a set piece was chipped into the scrum that Anteater keeper
Greg Patenaude punched away right into a CSF attacker and toward goal bouncing just wide of the goal as the match moved along into a second overtime.
The 'Eaters didn't give Cal State Fullerton a chance to strike in the second overtime as just over a minute in, the 'Eaters earned a set piece just outside the box.
Jose Ortiz's shot avoided the wall and found Guerin who left the rebound for
Jose Soto. Soto's return shot was also saved, but Canales would help him clean it up by Guerin for the winner in the 102nd minute.
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The winner gave the 'Eaters 10 wins on the season along with guaranteeing a winning record for 2018, both things that haven't happened for the program since 2014.
Canales' brace is the third of his career with one each now in his sophomore, junior, and senior seasons. His eight goals on the season ties
Jose Ortiz for the team lead while he also put home his fifth game-winner on the year to lead the conference and tie a program single-season record.
Jose Soto was credited with the assist on the second goal, the third of his career helping UCI snap a string of four games without a win at home against the Titans.
Greg Patenaude need to make just one save for his 10th win of the season and 11th of his career. His counterpart, Guerin, finished with six saves on the night.
UC Irvine remains unbeaten in conference play at 4-0-1 now four points clear of first place with 13. The win puts the 'Eaters firmly into the Big West Tournament, and guarantees a top-3 finish in the Big West standings. With one point in the final two matches, UCI will ensure itself a first-round bye in the tournament.
The next chance to do that for UCI will be Sunday, Oct. 21, at Cal Poly with a 5:00 p.m. start.
NOTES:Â
Ivan Canales' career goal count rises to 23, tied for eighth in program history with Anthony Hamilton...Canales' 65 career points ties him for sixth in program history with Amani Walker and Jon Spencer...Canales now has eight career game-winning goals tying him with Cameron Iwasa, Amani Walker, and Kevin Smith for the fourth-most in program history...UCI honored its senior class prior to the match consisting of
Daniel Crisostomo,
Jose Soto,
Ivan Canales,
Greg Patenaude,
Luis Leon, and
Darren Hamilton
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