IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer team got a huge comeback victory taking down Long Beach State Sunday evening, 2-1, at Anteater Stadium.
 
Rip Tide
The Anteaters (4-11-1, 3-2-1) came out shooting early in the first half continuously testing LBSU keeper Ashley Seymour. UCI had a chance at the net in the 15th minute logging consecutive shots on goal, the first coming off the leg of Amber Huff, and the second coming just seconds later off the ricochet by Kala McDaniel. Neither shot would fall keeping the match scoreless.

The 'Eaters would have another golden opportunity in the 30th minute. UCI threw the ball in near the net with Jessica Miclat ready to pounce. Her first shot was saved, and the rebound fell right to her as she shot from her seat, but her second shot was turned away as well on one of two saves on the night by LBSU's backline.

Despite the Anteaters' early shooting prowess, it was LBSU (4-11-0, 2-4-0) that was able to punch one into the net first. Kaylee Ramirez lofted a set piece into the box that was flicked along by Taylor Bistline right to Kaitlin Fregulia who chipped a ball over her shoulder bouncing it inside the far post for the 1-0 Long Beach State lead.

After a tense 45 minutes with UCI holding possession and outshooting Beach, 9-3, they were staring up at a 1-0 deficit with 45 minutes to play.
 
Back in Black
Both teams came out of the half aggressive with each squad picking up yellow cards within the first five minutes of play resuming. The 'Eaters skipped a pair of early shots over the bar, and LBSU countered in the 52nd minute as Sierra Castles' laser was punched high by Maddie Newsom keeping the LBSU within sight.

UC Irvine set their sights at a comeback starting in the 63rd minute. After having a free kick deflected minutes earlier, Kala McDaniel was finally able to get the 'Eaters on the board running onto a Jessica Miclat service and directing a header just inside the far post knotting up the match, 1-1.
 

Kala ties it back up!???? #TWZ pic.twitter.com/1X8eJFOm3d

— UCI W Soccer (@UCIwsoc) October 28, 2019

The 'Eaters weren't done picking up a free kick in a favorable location near the top of the box. Amber Huff stepped up with a powerful boot drilling it to the upper right corner giving the 'Eaters their first lead of the night, 2-1, in the 69th minute.
 

Amber with a rocket?? for the lead! pic.twitter.com/p2eAg6R1eD

— UCI W Soccer (@UCIwsoc) October 28, 2019

Final Score: UC Irvine 2, Long Beach State 1
The Anteaters were in control throughout the match holding a distinct advantage in shots,17-8, while also leading in shots on goal 8-5. Kala McDaniel led the 'Eaters taking six total shots, 3 on target, and scoring her first goal of the season, and second of her career in her new position in the midfield.

"I used to play mid in high school so I'm pretty familiar with it," noted sophomore Kala McDaniel who had been a center back the first 34 matches of her collegiate career. "I just really wanted to get into the attack. I had a few shots in the game that didn't go in, but I saw Jess on the outside and I took the opportunity to put it in for my team."

Amber Huff's howlitzer was the first goal and point of her career and the game-winner.

"We literally practice this and I missed wide, but I'm always going out to practice early repetitively taking shots. The time that I put into it showed out on the field and I'm really excited. That was my first goal and my mom, dad, and sister were all here so its a good experience and knowing the extra work gave us the win."

Another notable win for Maddie Newsom in net, the 34th of her career and first against the rivals in Long Beach State. She made four saves which pushed her past 'Eater alum Alicia Miller for third-most in program history over a career now at 257.

Senior Jessica Miclat was also able to get her first win in the rivalry helping with an assist on each goal, her first career two-assist match, upping her career totals to seven assists and 19 points. Piper Wurth made it onto the scoresheet for the first time in her career assisting on McDaniel's goal.

LBSU keeper Ashley Seymour made four stops in net while her backline helped keeping two shots out as well.
 
Big West Battle
With the win, UCI gets their first victory against LBSU since 2015, and it was that much sweeter for McDaniel.

"I know last year I was the reason for their first goal so I took that pretty hard. So today I felt it was my time, and holding that grudge from last year really gave me the motivation to work as a team and get the result we really deserved after everything we've been through this season."

The win is huge for both teams' postseason chances giving Amber and UCI a huge boost now at 10 points (3-2-1) with two matches remaining.

"I feel like we had this big energy going into this game because we put so much pressure on getting this win to move on, and having to do it against Long Beach State put even more pep in our step to push harder and get us to where we need to be because we're not done."

The road does continue on with the final two regular season matches. UCI remains outside of the tournament field by a point behind UC Santa Barbara and Hawai'i as they head out on the road to Cal Poly (Friday, Nov. 1) and UCSB (Sunday, Nov. 3) looking to break into the top four and extend their season into the Big West Tournament.