NORTHRIDGE, Calif. --- No. 21 UC Irvine's regular season finale went to the host CSUN Matadors who scored twice late to win, 2-0, Saturday night at Matador Soccer Field.

With a Big West title and No. 1 seed in the Big West Tournament already sewn up, UC Irvine (11-5-2, 5-1-1) rested a few of its normal starters as it went up against a CSUN (9-7-1, 3-3-1) squad still trying to lock in a tournament berth.

Both sides made moves in the first half with CSUN putting up the first three shots, UCI countering with the next four, and the Matadors firing the final four shots of the half in a scoreless contest.

CSUN started hot in the second half from its star Daniel Trejo had a shot on frame and then clocked the crossbar early on. The Matadors would finally light up the scoreboard with help from the Anteaters. Trejo crossed a ball to Nicholas Grinde, but before he could attempt a shot, it hit Anteater defender Michael Orozco and by keeper Greg Patenaude for an own goal and a 1-0 CSUN lead in the 76th minute.

Trejo would add a goal of his own, his 10th on the season to tie Anteater Ivan Canales for the conference lead, in the 84th minute knocking home Michael Flores' cross putting the Matadors up for good, 2-0.

Greg Patenaude was tested in net stopping five shots. CSUN keeper Henrik Regitnig saved four in the shutout.

The Anteaters failed to become the third Big West program to close out an unbeaten Big West season since its reformed in 2001. It does remain the top seed in the Big West Tournament that begins next week along with a sparkling 11-5-2 record and 16 Big West points with a 5-1-1 mark.

UC Irvine returns to Anteater Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 3 for a 7:00 p.m. match in the Big West semifinals. It will await the winner of a match between fifth-seeded UC Davis as it plays at fourth-seeded CSUN Wednesday night, Oct. 31.

NOTES: Saturday was the first time the 'Eaters had been shutout in Big West play...UCI's losing streak against CSUN stretched to four matches...UC Irvine was ranked No. 21 in the match, its first ranking since 2015...the loss was UC Irvine's first this season and ever while wearing their new white pinstriped uniforms...its the fourth time Greg Patenaude has had five or more saves in a match, his five saves tie his second-most in a match in his career...senior Darren Hamilton did not play Saturday, missing to avoid racking up a fifth yellow card before the Big West Tournament