IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer came out on top of a defensive tug-of-war Wednesday night topping UC Davis, 1-0, at Anteater Stadium.

One Dimension
The first half of the match rested in Anteater control possessing the ball for 65% of the half and dictating the attack. UC Davis (8-4-1, 2-1-0) clung to its defensive shape while UC Irvine (5-4-5, 2-0-1) meticulously made its way upfield. The 'Eaters had all of the offensive chances earning five corners and firing five shots as the Aggies mustered none of either in a scoreless 45 minutes.

The 'Eaters had a pair of late chances as Eddy Berumen challenge UCD keeper Wallis Lapsley, and Michael Orozco got up to meet a cross, but his header was headed back off the goalline by an Aggie defender in the 41st minute.

Continuing to Build
The Anteaters brought much of the same in the early stages of the second half. Christian Gutierrez began an aerial assault with three shots in the first 20 minutes, two on frame denied by Lapsley. Gutierrez would get another chance in the 68th minute and not miss.

Eder Oliva and reigning Big West Defensive Player of the Week, Nabi Kibunguchy, battled for the ball along the left wing and into the box where a handball was called against Kibunguchy putting the 'Eaters on the spot. Gutierrez slammed home the shot for the 1-0 lead.

All Hands On Deck
UC Davis had just over 20 minutes to find an equalizer, however up to the goal they had not attempted a shot. The Aggies got their first in the 70th minute as they went on the attack. Kibunguchy tried to atone for his offense with a bicycle kick in the box that went over the bar. Ford Parker made his only save of the match on a long feed from the sideline honing in on goal in the 88th minute, but he and the defense held for the 1-0 victory.

Final Score: UC Irvine 1, UC Davis 0
The loss put an end to UC Davis' five-match winning streak and handed it its first conference loss. Meanwhile, UC Irvine extends its unbeaten streak to seven matches (3-0-4) and is now unbeaten in regulation in 10 straight.

Gutierrez's strike is his fourth of the season, second from the spot, giving him eight points, both good for the team lead. The 'Eaters have now scored in 16 consecutive home conference matchups.

Parker's one save was enough for his and the defense's third shutout of the season as the 'Eaters finished with a 10-4 shot advantage and all six of the match's corner kicks. Making his presence known for the final 15 minutes of play was Kelvin Neumetzler making his collegiate debut in his second year with the program.

Master of Defense
"We prepared this game thinking that if we could get a shutout, we would win," Anteater defender and captain, Luca Mastrantonio exclaimed. "We obviously create a lot of chances every game, we just need to be patient and play the 90 minutes and the goal will arrive."

The Aggies, who were receiving national votes entering the week, boasted a well-documented defense having allowed nine goals in total this season entering the match with multiple goals allowed just twice in 12 matches, and with the 'Eaters late struggles last match at Sacramento State, the mindset was clear.

"We prepared this week knowing they don't conceded a lot of goals, and it was going to be hard. We would have to fight to the 90th minute, but we managed at the end. Patiently, we got the goal, and that was enough for the three points."

The big three points vault the Anteaters over UC Davis and into second place with seven points through three Big West matches. The 'Eaters stand behind just No. 12 UC Santa Barbara, a spotless 3-0-0 in Big West play thus far, who the 'Eaters will get a chance to challenge for the top spot in the standings in their very next match on Saturday, October 19, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. in a raucous Harder Stadium in Santa Barbara.