IRVINE, Calif. – Top-seeded UC Irvine women's soccer is headed to the Big West Tournament championship game after defeating No. 4 UC Santa Barbara, 1-0, in Thursday evening's semifinal match at Anteater Stadium.
 
WIN AND ADVANCE
Big West Offensive Player of the Year Scarlett Camberos' penalty goal in the 46th minute proved to be the game-winner as goalkeeper Glo Hinojosa and the 'Eater defense registered their third-straight shutout. The victory puts UCI in the Big West championship match for the sixth time in program history.
 
"(UCSB) is a very well-organized and well-coached team," said UCI head coach Scott Juniper. "We knew it was going to be hard. We got frustrated with ourselves through the middle of the first half and that is what we talked about at halftime. I think we came out and played with a little more freedom, and a little more as a team in the second half, and fortunately it worked out for us."
 
FIRST-HALF BATTLE
UC Irvine (14-5-0) came out firing with Camberos forcing UCSB keeper Evann Smith into a leaping save just seven seconds into the game. The 'Eaters would put three more shots on frame over the next 17 minutes but Smith was up to the challenge each time. UCI finished the first half with nine shots, including five on target. Camberos led the way with four attempts, while Destinee Manzo had three. Hinojosa also stopped two shots on goal from the Gauchos.
 
PENALTY WINNER   
After regrouping at the half, it didn't take long for UC Irvine to get on the board. With Camberos on a breakaway, she was eventually taken down in the box resulting in a penalty at the 45:25 mark. Camberos then stepped up to take the PK, beating the keeper to the lower right corner. It was her conference-leading 13th goal of the year, while she is also now a perfect 6-for-6 on penalty kicks. In addition, it ended up being her third game-winning goal as the 'Eater defense held strong for their eighth shutout.
 
FINAL SCORE: UC IRVINE 1, UC SANTA BARBARA 0
UC Irvine earned its second 1-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara (8-9-3) in seven days as the two teams also squared off at Anteater Stadium in the final week of the regular season. The 'Eaters, who have won their last five, improved to 11-2 against Big West teams.
 
UCI ended up outshooting the Gauchos, 15-14, while also holding a 5-3 advantage in corner kicks in the semifinal match. Camberos finished the evening with a game-high seven shots, including five on frame.
 
Camberos has now registered at least one point in eight consecutive matches. She has a conference-leading 13 goals and 33 points, both of which are tied for third in single-game school history. Hinojosa, who has accounted for all eight of UCI's shutouts this year, extended her scoreless streak to 343:03, and lowered her goals against average to 0.74. Maddy Chavez and Kiera Smeenge also anchored the back line, playing all 90 minutes.
 
UC Irvine makes its way back to the Big West title match for the first time since 2016. Top-seeded UCI will square off against No. 2 seed Cal Poly Sunday, Nov. 7, at Anteater Stadium. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.