FIRST TOUCHES
UCI had two more tough losses last week starting with a one-goal defeat at the hands of unscored-upon Cal Friday night followed by a trip to Pullman, Washington that resulted in a late comeback effort falling shot in a loss to Texas Tech

The 'Eaters slow it down with just two matches over the next two weeks focusing on AAC champ from a year ago in UCF coming to Anteater Stadium Sunday for an 11:30 a.m. start in the first leg of a doubleheader with UCI men's soccer
    88th - Carley Brown made the Starting XI in each match over the weekend in Tucson making her the 88th Anteater in program history with 50 career matches played. Since then, she's put up her first career point with an assist vs. Arizona State and first career goal scoring vs. Texas Tech

4 - Jessica Miclat scored for UCI in the 46th minute on Sunday giving her 5 career goals and 1 goal in each of her 4 years with the 'Eaters

1997 - UC Irvine and UCF have met once in 1997 in Anteater Stadium with the 'Eaters winning, 1-0. It still remains the only visit to UCI by a Florida school, and was the first season UC Irvine earned a spot in the Big West Tournament

 
STORYLINES
UCI and UCF kick off at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday as the first part of the only doubleheader in Anteater Stadium this season. UCI men's soccer will play after the conclusion of the women's match as they host Gonzaga at 2:00 p.m.

UCI matched its season high for goals scoring twice after halftime in the loss to Texas Tech, their first second half goals of 2019. The Red Raiders had allowed three goals in six matches prior to their meeting with the Anteaters

UCI held Cal to a 1-0 final. Cal had still not given up a goal to that match, but UCI was only the second of seven opponents to hold the Golden Bears to a single goal

Carley Brown joined the club scoring her first career goal Sunday in the 90th minute. This coming a week after her first career point

Lauren McKimmey worked her way into the starting lineup for the first time in Friday's match. Following her with another first career start was Chloe Ragon in the midfield on Sunday

Maddie Newsom returned to the lineup stopping eight shots over the weekend. She also became just the third goalkeeper in program history joining Stephanie Boes and Danielle de Seriere to record 6,000 career minutes in net

UCI has taken on a pair of ranked opponents both No. 9 in the nation in Virginia and Vanderbilt, the first time they've encountered two ranked opponents since 2014. UCI opened with a 7-0 loss in their first trip to Virginia, the fourth time ever allowing seven or more goals, first since 1987, and first time a coach Juniper squad had allowed more than four goals in a match.

The Anteater schedule has been littered with challenges with four of the first eight opponents receiving votes in the national polls. Cal entered the top 25 at No. 21, UCF jumped into the national polls receiving votes this week, and next week's opponent, BYU, is up to No. 7. Two other future Anteater opponents are also receiving votes in Big West foes Cal State Fullerton and CSUN. UCI also had a ranked opponent on its exhibition slate falling, 2-1, to UCLA who was ranked No. 4 in the preseason

With a win or draw…
...it would snap a string of four straight losses
...UCI would stay unbeaten against AAC schools going 2-0-0 all-time with wins vs. UCF (1997) and Cincinnati (2012)

UCF KNIGHTS
UCF has had a good run under coach Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak finishing with a winning record in all six of her season, three conference titles including one in 2017, and four trips to the NCAA Tournament. The Knights slow in 2019 winless (0-1-2) in their first three, but have snagged three huge wins in a row over Florida, Arizona State, and Stetson and will play Long Beach State Thursday. Kristen Scott paces UCF with team highs in goals (4), points (8), shots (15), and shots on target (7). Zandy Soree brings seven points while Jessica Taylor has a pair of goals. The backline of Mollie Rouse, Olivia Smith, Christina Trickett, and Madison Murnin have been there all year in front of Caroline DeLisle who is still looking for her first shutout, but has stopped 13 shots. UCI and UCF have played just once back in 1997, an Anteater win inside Anteater Stadium