OMAHA, Neb. --- UC Irvine men's soccer went into hostile territory and snagged its first win of 2019 with a resounding, 3-1, victory over Creighton Friday night in Morrison Stadium.

Momentum Swing
The first half began in Creighton's (2-2-1) corner, but the 'Eaters (1-3-1) started to swing the match back taking the shot advantage along with the first lead late in the half. Christian Gutierrez found himself on the receiving end of a Ricardo Ibarra cross in a crowd and aimed it into the net for a 1-0 lead in the 44th minute just 71 seconds before the halftime whistle

Quick Strikes
The squads came back from the half ready to roll getting the scoring going again in the 56th minute. Ibarra was on the scene again along the right wing. He slid a cross into the box that Alvaro Quezada left for Michael Orozco who sliced a shot off the outside of his foot off the keeper, the post, and in to jump UCI's lead to 2-0.

The Bluejays made it a game just 22 seconds later sprinting down the field and putting home their first goal. Luke Haakenson whipped a cross over to Younes Boudadi who finished with a 57th minute strike to make it a 2-1 Anteater lead

Lasting Impression
The 'Eaters defended its slim, one-goal lead, and glad a much-needed insurance strike in the 71st minute. A great time for a first career goal for Roberto Molina who knocked one home from the top of the box to put the match away.

The Anteaters even added a fourth goal in the final minutes off the foot of Manny Acosta, but the play had been called offside.

Final Score: UC Irvine 3, Creighton 1
The three goals exceeds the one goal they had mustard in the first goals matches combined in 2019. Along with Molina's first goal and points were the second career goal for Orozco and fourth for Gutierrez. Ricardo Ibarra put up his first two assists and points of his career on the night. Quezada and Alvarenga added assists, the first of Alvarenga's career.

The win against Creighton is the first in three tries for the 'Eaters all-time in front of the largest crowd of the three at 3,158 fans. For UCI, it marks the third win against the Big East with the Bluejays entering the night receiving national votes. It is also a round number for head coach Yossi Raz, his 20th career victory

Ford Parker made three stops in his score his first win as an Anteater. His counterpart, Collin Valdivia, stopped four shots as UCI led the match in shots, 14-11, but Creighton had eight of the 11 corner kicks and doubled UCI in fouls, 16-6, and cards, 2-1

Next Stop
UCI heads back west with a stop at Utah Valley on Monday night, Sep. 16, looking for revenge for a home loss a season ago.