FULLERTON, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer gutted out an ugly 1-1 draw Thursday night at Titan Stadium against Cal State Fullerton to officially stamp its spot in the 2019 Big West Tournament.
The Anteaters finish the regular season with an 8-6-4 overall record and 15 points in Big West play from a 4-1-3 record. UCI reached the Big West Tournament for a third straight season, and for the first time since 2012, it will be held in Anteater Stadium November 1 and 4.
The Titans (3-12-3, 0-5-2) entered the match riding a 10-match winless streak, but got on the board first in the 33rd minute. Senior Nano Oronoz drew the defense in to her, and she fed a wide-open Atlanta Primus whose shot was deflected toward goal and by keeper
Maddie Newsom for the opening strike putting Cal State Fullerton ahead for the first time in four matches, 1-0.
The 'Eaters answered early in the second half as
Shelby Lee found a chance and took it lofting a shot from outside the box up and over Titan keeper Allison Poole and in to tie things up at 1-1.
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Either side made attacking advances, but could not find a winner as the match ended in a draw at 1-1. Both sides put up 11 shots with Newsom saving six for the Anteaters and Poole snagging four.
Lee's goal is her fifth on the season, all coming in conference play.
Jonnae Joseph recorded the assist, her first of the season and third of her career.
The 'Eaters will now observe for the final day of the Big West season as the rest of the conference plays on Sunday, October 28 to determine tournament berths, seeding, and who will take home the Big West regular season crown. UC Irvine can share the title at best needing a Long Beach State loss or draw and a loss from UC Santa Barbara.
NOTES: UCI remains winless in its last two matches against CSF (0-1-1)...UC Irvine guaranteed itself a winning season with the result, the third straight for the program and ninth under head coach
Scott Juniper...
Reema Bzeih and
Maddie Newsom each started and played in their 60th career matches Thursday night
