IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer shutout the Pacific Tigers, 3-0, in a hotly-contested match Sunday evening in Anteater Stadium.
 
Cerving It Up
UC Irvine (3-4-3) went on the offensive to start things out in the first half taking an early lead over Pacific (3-5-1) in the 15th minute. Eder Oliva fed a beautiful pass to Oscar Cervantes who cracked an amazing shot volleying a ball off the outside of his foot and in by Pacific keeper Mateo Gomez who never saw it coming to make it 1-0, Anteaters.
 

Highlight of the half?? Oscar drills it in?? pic.twitter.com/iIxWzyusY5

— UCI M Soccer (@UCImsoc) September 30, 2019

Despite drawing three yellow cards, the 'Eaters were able to hold the Tigers scoreless for the remainder of the half, while taking eight shots compared to just two for the Tigers.  
 
Getting Chippy
After a slow start to the second half, the Anteaters capitalized on the Tigers' second yellow card of the game setting up a free kick near the Pacific goal. Roberto Molina took the free kick and hooked it around the wall inside the far post past the diving keeper to give UCI a 2-0 lead in the 68th minute.
 

Roberto bringing the heat?????? pic.twitter.com/xKL2t0WZLd

— UCI M Soccer (@UCImsoc) September 30, 2019

The Eaters added to their lead in the 81st minute on a successful penalty kick coming as a result of a Pacific hand ball. Victor Falck took aim and nailed it in to extend the lead to 3-0.
 
Final Score: UC Irvine 3, Pacific 0
Cervantes' goal finished as the game-winner and also the first of his collegiate career all while registering his first career start.

""I gave it to Eder on the wing side, and when he gave it back, my first thought was to shoot," said a relieved Oscar Cervantes after the match. "It's pretty dope. I haven't scored a goal in a while."

Oliva set him up giving him a third straight match with an assist while also taking the team lead.

Subsequent goals from Molina and Falck were the second of the season and the career for each. Eddy Berumen set each one up drawing the foul in each instance.

Ford Parker did his part in net needing to make just one save, a spectacular leaping one in the final minute. The save helped preserve the shutout which is the team's first of the season and his first as an Anteater to give the 'Eaters their first home win of 2019. Tiger keeper Mateo Gomez stopped four shots

The 'Eaters were in command throughout topping Pacific, 15-7, in shots. Both sides drew three yellow cards as the Tigers held advantages in fouls and corner kicks on the evening.
 
One Last Stop
The Anteaters finish up non-conference play in their only match next week traveling to No. 24 Loyola Marymount Thursday night, Oct. 3, kicking off at 7:00 p.m.