FIRST TOUCHES 
The 'Eaters found their stride winning a pair of road matches to check off the 2019 win column for the first time scoring first-ever wins at Creighton and in the state of Utah. Ahead are two home matches against San Diego, receiving national attention, and a winless Gonzaga squad Sunday as part of a doubleheader with the women's team
 
#1 - Despite the very early returns, UC Irvine's schedule has been one of the toughest in the nation. To this point, it is the #1 toughest schedule. UCI's very early RPI sits at 23. The Anteaters finished 2018 with the 22nd-toughest schedule nationally and an RPI of 23

2-0 - Anteater freshman Kwabena Boateng returned from his 10-day trip to Slovenia with the U.S. U-20 national team where he played in both of their friendlies, starting once, helping them go 2-0 against the Zagreb Football Federation and the United Arab Emirates U-23 squad

4 - UC Irvine has scored six goals in six matches with four coming as first career goals from sophomore Beto Alvarenga, newcomers Roberto Molina and Eder Oliva, and senior captain Victor Falck putting home the game-winner Monday
 
STORYLINES 
UC Irvine men's soccer match Sunday will be part of the only doubleheader in 2019. The 2:00 p.m. match will follow UC Irvine women's soccer match against UCF starting at 11:30 a.m.

The Anteaters have scored six times with four of them coming as the first of a player's career. Beto Alvarenga got it going in the draw at Cal. Freshman Roberto Molina got his first goal and point against Creighton. Both scorers Monday night got their first on the Division I level as Eder Oliva opened the scoring and captain Victor Falck headed home the game-winner

Both game-winners were the first of their careers scored by Michael Orozco Friday and Victor Falck Monday
Ricardo Ibarra got his first two career points as part of a 2-assist match in UCI's win at Creighton

The 'Eaters star freshman Kwabena Boateng missed the last three matches for UCI as he was training with the U.S. under-20 National Team in Slovenia. Boateng played in both matches as the U.S. defeated the Zagreb Football Federation and UAE U-23s in friendlies

UC Irvine began the season ranked at No. 25 in the United Soccer Coaches poll. They finished 2018 just outside the top 25. UC Irvine was also slotted No. 21 according to Top Drawer Soccer's preseason poll. UCI fell out of the voting completely, but have played the strongest schedule thus far facing five opponents with national votes in six contests with three opponents entering the matches ranked in the top 10

The Anteaters bring in a talented class of 14 newcomers rated as the top recruiting class in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer. Five of the newcomers are transfers from programs such as New Mexico, San Francisco, Coastal Carolina, and Portland, while another four Anteaters enter the mix after redshirting in their first year with the program in 2018. This past week, Portland transfer Drew Boyd got his first chance on the pitch on the backline. Kwabena Boateng returned from his overseas trip with the U.S. U-20 squad and made his first start Monday

With a win or draw... 
...UCI would maintain its unbeaten streak against San Diego that enters the week at six (4-0-2) dating back to 2005
...Sunday would keep UCI unbeaten at home vs. Gonzaga (8-0-0)

SAN DIEGO TOREROS
The Toreros are making their first moves out of San Diego to play UCI. They won at San Diego State and played the next five at home winning the first five matches of 2019 before a loss to Sacramento State on Sunday. USD has posted four shutouts in the 5-1 start including shutout victories over Cal Poly and UC Davis. The Toreros have started to rebound as they're looking for their first 10-win season and conference title since 2015 and first NCAA Tournament bid since 2014 under second year coach Brian Quinn. Miguel Berry demands everyone's attention with six goals and three assists already this season. Matt Wiher has stopped 15 shots in net. San Diego holds the all-time series lead at 18-7-3, but haven't won since 2005. UCI is 4-0-2 since then including draws in the last two meetings including a scoreless one last year. UCI and USD will play in Anteater Stadium for the first time since 2011 after the last matchup took place at the ARC

GONZAGA BULLDOGS 
Gonzaga has been mired in struggles with only one winning season in the last 10, and after coming off a 2-win campaign in 2018 are winless at 0-6-0 to open 2019 which includes losses to Sac State, UCSB, and at Cal Poly. Gonzaga will stop through Cal Baptist on Friday before heading to UCI, a place they've never won at in eight opportunities. The Bulldogs won the last meeting in 2012, but are 3-8 all-time against the 'Eaters. Their leading scorer, Demetrius Kigeya, returns scoring four times last year and putting up 1 of the 4 thus far on 12 shots