IRVINE, Calif. - The UC Irvine women's soccer team took control of its own destiny Sunday at Anteater Stadium, defeating Cal Poly, 2-0, to clinch a share of the Big West regular-season title and earn the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament.
 
Entering the match three points behind the Mustangs, the Anteaters (13-5-0, 8-2-0 Big West) needed a win to catch Cal Poly in the standings, and they wasted no time in showing they were up to the challenge. The 'Eaters took the lead in the seventh minute on a Desiree Mendoza goal, and increased their cushion when Destinee Manzo connected on a header off a corner kick in the 54th minute.
 
"Building this team, we recruited some of these players in their sophomore year of high school, and now they're in their senior year of college," said UCI head coach Scott Juniper. "It takes a long time, so I'm just super happy for these players and how much work they've put into it. But, we have more games coming up in a few days that are even more important."
 
BIG WEST CHAMPS
This marks UC Irvine's fourth Big West regular-season title, all of which have come under Juniper's tutelage (2010, 2011, 2017, 2021). The Anteaters and Mustangs each finished with identical 8-2-0 conference records (24 points). Since the 'Eaters won the head-to-head tiebreaker, they secured the No. 1 seed, and hosting duties, for the Big West Tournament on Nov. 4 and 7.
 
EARLY STRIKE
Cal Poly (12-7-0, 8-2-0 Big West) had the first look of the game when Sidra Bugsch's attempt from the middle of the box went wide right at the 6:06 mark. The Anteaters then countered with Scarlett Camberos collecting the ensuing goal kick and driving down the left side of the pitch. She made her way into the box where she tapped it to Desiree Mendoza, who on one touch with her left foot, sent the ball inside the far post. It was Mendoza's third goal of the season and Camberos' team-leading seventh assist.
 
HOLDING THE LEAD
After UCI's goal, neither team got a shot off until the Mustangs' Megan Hansen put one on frame in the 34th minute, but Glo Hinojosa was right there for the save. The two sides traded shots over the final 10 minutes of the first half as the 'Eaters maintained their 1-0 advantage heading into the break.
 
OUT OF REACH
Cal Poly nearly had an opportunity to tie it at the 51:35 mark when Nikki Trucco stole the ball and started a break away that appeared to be leading to a one-on-one with Hinojosa, but Kiera Smeenge hustled back to deflect the ball away before she was able to get a shot off.
 
UC Irvine then struck less than two minutes later. Camberos earned a corner kick and Mendoza delivered a perfect ball into the box where Destinee Manzo rose up for the header to the upper right netting. It was Manzo's fourth goal of the season.
 
The 'Eaters nearly added a third on another corner kick, but Maddy Chavez's shot went just wide.
 
The UCI defense continued to play the Mustangs tough through the remainder of regulation. The Anteaters held Cal Poly to three shots, only one of which was on target, over the final 36 minutes.
 
FINAL: UC IRVINE 2, CAL POLY 0  
UC Irvine and Cal Poly had eight shots each, while the 'Eaters held the advantage in corner kicks, 6-4. Manzo and Camberos tied for a game-high with two attempts apiece.
 
UCI, which has come out on top in eight of its last nine, will bring a four-match win streak into the Big West Tournament. Each of the Anteaters' last two victories came by way of a shutout with Glo Hinojosa picking up her seventh solo clean sheet of the season. She also extended her scoreless streak to 253:03.
 
Scarlett Camberos has registered at least one point in each of her last seven outings. With her assist on Sunday, Camberos increased her Big West-leading point total to 31 (12 goals, 7 assists).
 
Top-seeded UC Irvine is set to square off against No. 4 seed UC Santa Barbara in one of two semifinal matches on Thursday, Nov. 4. The other semifinal will feature No. 2 seed Cal Poly and No. 3 seed Cal State Fullerton. The winners will then advance to the championship game on Sunday, Nov. 7. All matches will be played at Anteater Stadium.