IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer fought to the very end in a 2-1 exhibition loss to No. 4 UCLA in Anteater Stadium.

Early Adversity
The match started on UCLA's foot taking the match's first 10 shots while holding 70% of the first half possession. They jumped on the scoreboard in the 30th minute with a goal by Mia Fishel. Kali Trevithick and Ashley Sanchez set her up as she received the ball inside the box and bounced a ball around Glo Hinojosa and inside the far post for a 1-0 Bruin lead.

UCLA had a few more chances to extend their lead - hitting the crossbar once, clanging the post on a free kick over the Anteater wall, but Glo Hinojosa made a big difference with three saves, two of the highest class. She came off her line to challenge Bruin shots twice including a spectacular save against Sanchez nearly 15 yards out on the right wing swallowing the ball and keeping it a one-goal match going into the half.

Getting Even
The 'Eaters found some offense as the second half began. They snagged back some of the control and possession, and in the 48th minute, Jessica Miclat made it count. She got a feed from Scarlett Camberos from well outside the box, drove, and deposited a shot by UCLA keeper Lauren Brzykcy to knot things up at 1-1.

Decisive Blow
The Bruins continued to charge hard as both sides leaned on their starters throughout the match. Anteater keeper Taesja Paopao took over for the second 45 minutes, and was up to the task stopping four shots with UCLA putting up 10 more. The match remained tied into the final five minutes before the decisive blow came. Sanchez drove down the right flank feeding a ball across the box. Trevithick was on the other end of the pass heading it on goal and inside the left post giving UCLA the lead back in the 87th minute.

Final Score: #4 UCLA 2, UC Irvine 1
Miclat accounted for both Anteater goals in the team's exhibition matches. UCLA outshot the Anteaters 20-3 with nine shots on target and seven saved, three from Hinojosa and four from Paopao. The teams played to a crowd of 972 fans in attendance.

Season Begins
UC Irvine is set up for its regular season opener next which will come in Charlottesville, Virginia against #9 University of Virginia kicking off at 4:00 p.m. Pacific time, Friday, August 23.