IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine and Arizona dueled late into the second half until the Wildcats found the winner downing UCI, 1-0, Thursday at Anteater Stadium.

The match-winner came in the 71st minute. In a match with dueling long throw-ins, Arizona's fell as Sabrina Enciso tossed one into the box that was flicked on by Kelcie Cavarra right to Jill Aguilera who punted home her shot into the roof of the net to break the scoreless draw, 1-0.

UC Irvine (0-2-0) had a chance to answer in the 89th minute. Maddie Newsom's free kick from her own half felt into the mixer, and the scrum popped out to Lili Andino on the left side of the box. Her shot was rejected on a sprawling save by Wildcat keeper Lainey Burdett to keep the lead and the 1-0 shutout victory.

Arizona (1-1-0) kept the Anteaters quiet despite 11 shots from the 'Eaters, seven in the first half turning four on target. UCI's best opportunity came in the tailend of the first half with Andino on the scene once again. After streaking down the left flank, she cut back off the touchline and fed Elizabeth Hutchison on the far post, but her volley missed a wide open net missing high to keep the match scoreless heading into the half.

Both sides brought the attack in the match with multiple shots on target for each side in each half despite the 1-0 result. Maddie Newsom was up to the task saving six in the match, her seventh match with six or more over her career.

The 'Eaters are back in action on Sunday, Aug. 26 with another matchup against a Pac-12 opponent. UCI and Utah meet in Anteater Stadium at 1:00 p.m. with the squad searching for its first victory on the season

NOTES: The all-time series advantage now falls to Arizona at 2-1-1...UC Irvine has had the shot advantage at the half in each of its first two matches...redshirt senior Alex Karlowitsch returned to the field for the first time since 2016 after missing last year with an injury coming off the bench to play 57 minutes...Newsom's six saves bring her three from entering UCI's all-time top 10 career leaders now with 141...its the first time since September 2016 that UCI has lost consecutive 1-0 matches (Utah, Santa Clara)