FULLERTON, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer let a halftime lead slip away dropping their first match in over a month, 2-1, to Cal State Fullerton in Titan Stadium Wednesday night.

Fast and Furious
The Anteaters (6-5-5, 3-1-1) came out flying on the offensive posting five of the first six shots of the match. The 'Eaters made their sixth shot count as Victor Falck fed Roberto Molina who tracked across the top of the box and slid a ball between keeper Paul-Andre Guerin and the left post for a goal and the 1-0 lead in the 21st minute.

UCI held the halftime edge most everywhere in the stats including the score with a 9-4 shot edge and earning all four corners.

Fighting Fullerton
The Titans (10-5-1, 2-3-0) found a way back in the match early in the second half as the 'Eaters gifted another penalty kick in the 53rd minute. Oscar Flores put it home tying the match at 1-1.

The goal put a dent in the offensive flurry UCI had early in the half putting four shots up in the first minute including two on frame.

The sides traded barbs as the half went on, and it was Cal State Fullerton that found the magic touch as Owen Lambe put one in giving the Titans the lead, 2-1, in the 77th minute.

UCI fought relentlessly to get back level bearing down on goal for the final 13 minutes, but were denied dropping its first Big West match, 2-1.

Final Score: Cal State Fullerton 2, UC Irvine 1
The loss ends multiple streaks for the 'Eaters, most notable the eight-match unbeaten streak (4-0-4) they had built since over a month ago on September 20. It was UCI's first regulation loss since September 9 as well.

The result tightens the Big West race as UCI is now joined at the top by UC Santa Barbara and UC Davis all with 10 points each after the sides tied earlier in the day. Cal State Fullerton is still a full four points behind them at the top, but still leaves everything wide open up and down the table.

Molina's goal was his third of the season and his career helped along by Falck's assist, his second, and extends his team lead in points to 12.

Ford Parker had two saves on the evening, and his defense stepped up with a third save. Guerin for Fullerton made five stops as the 'Eaters doubled up CSF in the shot total, 21-10, and earned all six corners in the match.

Down The Stretch
For the Anteaters, that ends its scheduled road matches for the regular season finishing up with a record of 3-3-4. UCI will end the regular season at home each of the next two Saturdays starting this week, Oct. 26, with a 7:00 p.m. match against Cal Poly.

As mentioned, the 'Eaters sit atop the conference with UC Santa Barbara and UC Davis all with 10 points. UC Irvine still has yet to lock in anything for the Big West Tournament, but any sort of point over the final two matches can earn them a berth. In addition, a win in the final two matches will guarantee a home game in the Big West Tournament, and there are some scenarios where UCI could earn a share of the regular season title as soon as this Saturday night.