FRESNO, Calif. --- The Anteaters got back on the winning track with an offensive display and late defense to defeat Fresno State, 2-1, Friday night.

UC Irvine (2-4-1) held most of the first half advantage putting up 12 shots to Fresno State's (1-6-1) four and turning four on target, but the squads remained in a 0-0 deadlock through 45 minutes.

The offense raged on in the second stanza firing the first seven shots of the half, and on the eighth they got on the scoreboard. Aleah Kelley put an attempt on goal that was saved by Bulldog keeper Nicole Theroux, but the rebound found Jessica Miclat who would put home the Anteaters' 20th shot for a 1-0 lead in the 66th minute.

UCI wasted no time adding to it with the very next shot as a throw-in found Alex Jaquez who slotted UCI's second goal home to make it 2-0 'Eaters in the 74th minute.

Fresno State would stay around scoring four minutes later as Megan Pust found a streaking Chloe Chedester who beat Anteater keeper Maddie Newsom on a breakaway to make it a 2-1 game in the 78th minute.

UCI's defense would bend and keep the Bulldogs at bay for the remainder to close out the victory, 2-1.

The 'Eaters smashed a season-high 24 shots on offense turning eight on frame. Fresno State keeper Nicole Theroux would pick up six saves as Newsom needed just one with her defense holding the Bulldogs to five shots.

The game-winning goal is registered to Alex Jaquez who tripled as her first career goal and point for the freshman in her seventh career match.

The Anteaters improve to 2-4-1 on the season, and next have a clash with WCC power Pepperdine on Sunday, Sep. 16 at 1:00 p.m.

NOTES: Maddie Newsom's earned win No. 25 of her career, the 5th Anteater keeper to reach the 25-win mark...Miclat's goal is her first points of the season, and recorded her 10th career point...UCI improves to 8-1-0 all-time against Fresno State...UCI won its first match of the season after entering the half tied this year, were 0-2-0 in the previous matches