Wednesday, October 16
Irvine, Calif.
7:00 PM
UC Irvine
vs
UC Davis
Pivotal Week Pits UCI Against UC Davis, at UCSB
October 15, 2019 | Men's Soccer
FIRST TOUCHES
UCI took four points out of the opening week shutting out UC Riverside at home before a draw up at Sac State. This week brings new tests in a visit from UC Davis and trip to UC Santa Barbara with both programs topping the Big West after winning all six points last week
#8 - Entering Big West play, UCI's early RPI sits at 37 while taking on the #8 toughest non-conference schedule. The Anteaters finished 2018 with the 22nd-toughest schedule nationally and an RPI of 23
6 - The Anteaters are unbeaten in their last 6 matches going 2-0-4, the second straight season with an unbeaten streak of 6, and the 15th such streak in program history. UCI has not lost in regulation in nine matches (3-1-4) falling once in overtime to San Diego
15 - The 'Eaters have scored multiple goals in 4 straight matches which includes Jose Ortiz's three-game goal streak. The 'Eaters have found the back of the net in their last 15 home conference matches
STORYLINES
The Anteater offense has scored multiple goals in four straight matches led by senior Jose Ortiz who has scored in three straight and leads all active Anteaters in goals and points. Oscar Cervantes joined in with an assist now with points in three of his last four.
Christian Gutierrez earned his first Big West Offensive Player of the Week award October 7 after a 2-goal game at No. 22 LMU
UC Irvine completed non-conference play with a 3-4-4 record, the only Big West squad with a losing record. The team did go up against the 12th-toughest schedule in the nation with four ranked squads on the docket and two others receiving votes. The Big West Conference finishes non-conference play rated the sixth-best in the nation with five programs touting a top-50 toughest schedule
The 'Eaters star freshman Kwabena Boateng missed three matches as he was training with the U.S. under-20 National Team in Slovenia in early September. Boateng played in both matches as the U.S. defeated the Zagreb Football Federation and UAE U-23s in friendlies
UC Irvine began the season ranked at No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. They finished 2018 just outside the top 25. UC Irvine was also slotted No. 21 according to Top Drawer Soccer's preseason poll. UCI fell out of the voting completely, but have played the fifth-strongest schedule thus far facing six opponents with national votes in eight contests with three opponents entering the matches ranked in the top 10
The Anteaters bring in a talented class of 14 newcomers rated as the top recruiting class in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. Five of the newcomers are transfers from programs such as New Mexico, San Francisco, Coastal Carolina, and Portland, while another four Anteaters enter the mix after redshirting in their first year with the program in 2018. One newcomer, Jorge Hernandez, joined the 'Eaters after signing an NLI and playing in the exhibition matches before signing a pro contract with L.A. Galaxy and has been a starter for L.A. Galaxy II
With a...
...result Wednesday, UCI would extend its unbeaten streak to seven games, the 11th streak of at least seven games
...result Wednesday, UCI would be the first at home since 2014 (0-1-1) against UC Davis
...win Saturday, UCI would end a four-match winless streak (0-2-2) vs. UC Santa Barbara
...draw, the 'Eaters would match their single-season high for draws at six also done by the 2001 and 2008 clubs
UC DAVIS AGGIES
The Aggies have rode the season in waves going 3-0-1 out of the gate followed by three straight losses, and now as they arrive to UCI have won five straight including two straight shutouts to open Big West play and a monumental 4-2 win over No. 6 Saint Mary's who had gone 31 straight matches without a defeat. The 8-3-1 Aggies won 11 games last year ending UCI's Big West Tournament with PKs in the semifinals before falling in the final on PKs and barely missing the NCAA Tournament. UCD has won three straight vs. UCI and is 12-9-4 all-time heading into Wednesday's game. UC Davis' 16 goals have come from 11 different players led by four from Kristian Heptner, twice game-winners and twice from the spot. Wallis Lapsley has played nearly every minute in net saving 35 shots to go with a 0.75 GAA
UC SANTA BARBARA GAUCHOS
UCSB has really turned it on after losses to No. 16 Virginia Tech and Cal to open 2019. They've gone 11 straight since without a defeat including draws with ranked Stanford and San Diego, and two resounding Big West wins over Sac State (2-0) and Cal State Fullerton (4-0). UCSB has laid the groundwork to end a three-year NCAA Tournament drought sitting at 9-2-2 and ranked 12th. The sparkplug has been freshman Finn Ballard McBride with six goals. Seniors Will Baynham and Thibault Candia have five each, and the consistent Rodney Michael (4 G, 5 A) have the Gauchos rolling. Ben Roach has spent every minute in net with a 1.10 GAA and 39 saves with his six shutouts
UCI took four points out of the opening week shutting out UC Riverside at home before a draw up at Sac State. This week brings new tests in a visit from UC Davis and trip to UC Santa Barbara with both programs topping the Big West after winning all six points last week
#8 - Entering Big West play, UCI's early RPI sits at 37 while taking on the #8 toughest non-conference schedule. The Anteaters finished 2018 with the 22nd-toughest schedule nationally and an RPI of 23
6 - The Anteaters are unbeaten in their last 6 matches going 2-0-4, the second straight season with an unbeaten streak of 6, and the 15th such streak in program history. UCI has not lost in regulation in nine matches (3-1-4) falling once in overtime to San Diego
15 - The 'Eaters have scored multiple goals in 4 straight matches which includes Jose Ortiz's three-game goal streak. The 'Eaters have found the back of the net in their last 15 home conference matches
Game Notes
(RV) UC Davis Aggies at UC Irvine Anteaters
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - 7:00 PM
Anteater Stadium (2,500) - Irvine, Calif.
Live Stats | Game Program | Tickets
UC Irvine Anteaters at #12 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Saturday, October 19, 2019 - 7:00 PM
Harder Stadium (15,000) - Santa Barbara, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats
(RV) UC Davis Aggies at UC Irvine Anteaters
Wednesday, October 16, 2019 - 7:00 PM
Anteater Stadium (2,500) - Irvine, Calif.
Live Stats | Game Program | Tickets
UC Irvine Anteaters at #12 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
Saturday, October 19, 2019 - 7:00 PM
Harder Stadium (15,000) - Santa Barbara, Calif.
Watch | Live Stats
STORYLINES
The Anteater offense has scored multiple goals in four straight matches led by senior Jose Ortiz who has scored in three straight and leads all active Anteaters in goals and points. Oscar Cervantes joined in with an assist now with points in three of his last four.
Christian Gutierrez earned his first Big West Offensive Player of the Week award October 7 after a 2-goal game at No. 22 LMU
UC Irvine completed non-conference play with a 3-4-4 record, the only Big West squad with a losing record. The team did go up against the 12th-toughest schedule in the nation with four ranked squads on the docket and two others receiving votes. The Big West Conference finishes non-conference play rated the sixth-best in the nation with five programs touting a top-50 toughest schedule
The 'Eaters star freshman Kwabena Boateng missed three matches as he was training with the U.S. under-20 National Team in Slovenia in early September. Boateng played in both matches as the U.S. defeated the Zagreb Football Federation and UAE U-23s in friendlies
UC Irvine began the season ranked at No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. They finished 2018 just outside the top 25. UC Irvine was also slotted No. 21 according to Top Drawer Soccer's preseason poll. UCI fell out of the voting completely, but have played the fifth-strongest schedule thus far facing six opponents with national votes in eight contests with three opponents entering the matches ranked in the top 10
The Anteaters bring in a talented class of 14 newcomers rated as the top recruiting class in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. Five of the newcomers are transfers from programs such as New Mexico, San Francisco, Coastal Carolina, and Portland, while another four Anteaters enter the mix after redshirting in their first year with the program in 2018. One newcomer, Jorge Hernandez, joined the 'Eaters after signing an NLI and playing in the exhibition matches before signing a pro contract with L.A. Galaxy and has been a starter for L.A. Galaxy II
With a...
...result Wednesday, UCI would extend its unbeaten streak to seven games, the 11th streak of at least seven games
...result Wednesday, UCI would be the first at home since 2014 (0-1-1) against UC Davis
...win Saturday, UCI would end a four-match winless streak (0-2-2) vs. UC Santa Barbara
...draw, the 'Eaters would match their single-season high for draws at six also done by the 2001 and 2008 clubs
UC DAVIS AGGIES
The Aggies have rode the season in waves going 3-0-1 out of the gate followed by three straight losses, and now as they arrive to UCI have won five straight including two straight shutouts to open Big West play and a monumental 4-2 win over No. 6 Saint Mary's who had gone 31 straight matches without a defeat. The 8-3-1 Aggies won 11 games last year ending UCI's Big West Tournament with PKs in the semifinals before falling in the final on PKs and barely missing the NCAA Tournament. UCD has won three straight vs. UCI and is 12-9-4 all-time heading into Wednesday's game. UC Davis' 16 goals have come from 11 different players led by four from Kristian Heptner, twice game-winners and twice from the spot. Wallis Lapsley has played nearly every minute in net saving 35 shots to go with a 0.75 GAA
UC SANTA BARBARA GAUCHOS
UCSB has really turned it on after losses to No. 16 Virginia Tech and Cal to open 2019. They've gone 11 straight since without a defeat including draws with ranked Stanford and San Diego, and two resounding Big West wins over Sac State (2-0) and Cal State Fullerton (4-0). UCSB has laid the groundwork to end a three-year NCAA Tournament drought sitting at 9-2-2 and ranked 12th. The sparkplug has been freshman Finn Ballard McBride with six goals. Seniors Will Baynham and Thibault Candia have five each, and the consistent Rodney Michael (4 G, 5 A) have the Gauchos rolling. Ben Roach has spent every minute in net with a 1.10 GAA and 39 saves with his six shutouts
Players Mentioned
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