'Eaters Blitzed in First Half of 4-2 Loss

Sunday, September 23

Stockton, CA

2:00 PM

UC Irvine

6-3-1

Pacific

6-2-1

Team	1	2	Final F
UC Irvine	0	2	2
Pacific	4	0	4

christian-gutierrez-uci-msoc-2018-pomona-pitzer-pacific

'Eaters Blitzed in First Half of 4-2 Loss

September 23, 2018 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Alex Croteau

STOCKTON, Calif. --- UC Irvine could not completely climb the four-goal mountain it created for itself in the first half eventually falling, 4-2, Sunday afternoon at Knoles Field.

Pacific (6-2-1) dictated things early on with four of the first five shots, and broke through for the first score in the 19th minute off the foot of Tariq Branche. Branche added a brace in the 23rd minute quickly making it 2-0, Pacific.

Soon thereafter, Jonathan Jimenez, who assisted on the opener, point home one of his own in the 35th minute for a 3-0 Tiger lead. Pacific added a fourth at the stroke of halftime with Jimenez providing his second assist with a goal put away by Cooper Riley with just 41 seconds remaining in the half as the squad entering the midway point with Pacific up, 4-0.

The Tigers were content with the four goals focusing to preserve the lead in the second half. UC Irvine (6-3-1) cut into it in the 65th as Christian Gutierrez put away his second goal of the season from the corner of the box and leave a glimmer of a comeback.

Pacific held strong for the most part as UCI found a second goal just outside the final minute of play as freshman Michael Orozco registered his first career goal and point on a free kick slicing through traffic in the 89th minute as the loss would finalize at 4-2.

Greg Patenaude made three saves in the defeat while his counterpart, Mateo Gomez, stopped two Anteater shots.

Anteaters added assists from Luis Leon, the eighth of his career, and his third this season which is a career high for the senior, as well as Axel Adler with his second in the last three matches.

UC Irvine road trip continues with one final match which will also end non-conference play on Sat. Sep. 29 with a 1:00 p.m. matchup at undefeated Saint Mary's.