LOS ANGELES, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer put on a wild show against No. 22 Loyola Marymount Thursday night finishing in a 3-3 draw up at Sullivan Field
 
Slow and Steady
The Anteaters (3-4-4) came out shooting in the first half, but were unable to find the net despite outshooting the Lions 9-7. After a competitive start to the match with each team taking turns threatening for a score, the Lions (5-2-3) were able to break through in the 31st minute by nudging a header just to the right of diving goalkeeper Ford Parker, giving them a 1-0 lead that they would take to the second half.

Explosion Emoji
Just 34 seconds into the second half, the Anteaters aggressive shooting began to pay off. Christian Gutierrez wasted no time tying things up. Just 87 seconds later, the 'Eaters were back at it pushing the ball down the field and into the net. Gutierrez, fresh off his own score, fed a beautiful pass to Jose Ortiz, who squeezed it past the LMU keeper to give UCI their first lead at 2-1.

The scoring would continue in the 51st minute, this time from the Lions who were able to capitalize on a breakdown of the Anteaters defense to tie it back up 2-2. The 'Eaters were able to strike right back in the 58th minute as Gutierrez slotted home a penalty kick to put UCI back up, 3-2. The lead held until the 78th minute when the Lions snuck one past Parker to tie it again at 3-3 sending the match to overtime.

Emptying The Tank
A pedestrian first overtime period gave way to a second where the Anteaters had a quick opportunity to score. A huge save from LMU keeper Jacob Jackson kept the match going, and the ricochet fell to Eder Oliva who returned a header on goal, but bounced it off the top crossbar. LMU would get their chances as well as the teams put up nine shots in all in the 10 minute frame with four on target, but no more goals would be conceded ending the match at 3-3

Final Score: UC Irvine 3, #22 LMU 3
Christian Gutierrez had himself a career day, logging two goals and one assist for the first Anteater five-point day since Ivan Canales did the same last season at Cal Poly It was the first multi-goal game of his career and the first of the season for the 'Eaters as he upped his career total to six goals and 13 points and took over the team lead in points with seven.

Ortiz drove home the other goal, his first of the season making him the 11th Anteater to register a goal this year. His career point totals stand at 14 goals and 35 points now. Assists came from Ricardo Ibarra, Oscar Cervantes, and Seamus McLaughlin to round out the scoring to help the 'Eaters extend their streak of now four straight unbeaten (1-0-3).

Ford Parker was on his heels most of the match stopping five shots on the night. LMU held the shot advantage, 24-17, along with earning one more corner. Jackson in goal for LMU stopped four shots while goals for the Lions came from Duhaney Williams, CJ Neville, and Narciso Cervantes.

Last But Not Least
The 'Eaters close up non-conference play with a record of 3-4-4 and will now take nearly a week to prepare for Big West action which begins at home. UC Irvine and UC Riverside square off in Anteater Stadium next Wednesday, October 9, for a 7:00 p.m. match that will be part of UC Irvine Athletics' Breast Cancer Awareness month