BERKELEY, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer finish its non-conference ledger with a seismic victory Thursday afternoon defeating previously unbeaten Cal, 1-0, in double overtime in Edwards Stadium off a winner from
Julia Gonzalez.
BEAR DOWN
The Golden Bears were on the pitch for the first time in nearly two weeks following a pair of match cancelations due to COVID last week. As a result, the Golden Bears played the match Thursday while wearing masks.
The first half leaned toward the hosts in Cal (3-1-2) as they put up all seven shots and earned all eight corners in the match. Karlie Lema had a few close chances as did Keely Roy with a pair of shots including the lone strike on target stopped by
Glo Hinojosa. The Anteater defense held firm to get the match into the half at 0-0.
KEEPING THE PEACE
The second half had even less action than the first with a total of four shots, all to Cal. While Cal had its share of shots, they were only able to turn three on goal for the entire match.
Hinojosa made a pivotal save in the final minutes as the Golden Bears put a shot on frame that Hinojosa tipped up, and after it came back into play off the crossbar, she wrangled up the rebound to keep things scoreless and into the overtime session.
The Anteaters (5-3) started overtime with a roar with three shots in the first four minutes. One of those nearly ended things in the 92nd minute from
Destinee Manzo whose long strike needed a leaping save from Cal keeper Angelina Anderson to keep the match level.
The game-winner would come in the second overtime on a pass from
Scarlett Camberos to
Julia Gonzalez all alone in the middle of the box to slot it in and win in the 104th minute.
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FINAL SCORE / 2OT: UC IRVINE 1, CAL 0
The win is the first all-time for the Anteaters over Cal. Previously, UCI had picked up one draw in 12 all-time matches.
The 'Eaters finish non-conference play above .500 at 5-3. Under head coach
Scott Juniper, the team wins its ninth match against the Pac-12 and first since a 2017 win over Oregon.
"We executed the game plan really well, but it needed big performances from everyone and they delivered," said coach Juniper of his team's play postmatch. "We were really disappointed not to get a win against Oregon State, and the players were determined to find a way today."
"Instant relief," from the game-winning goal scorer
Julia Gonzalez who registered her second career goal and first-ever game-winner in double overtime. "We worked hard and we deserved it. I was just proud and happy we got the win."
"Very happy. Everyone played really well, and I'm proud of my teammates," added an ecstatic
Scarlett Camberos who provided the pinpoint assist to Gonzalez on the decisive goal. The assist extends her team lead in points now to 11.
"I really love that my team supported me every time I got the ball, and got my back on every corner," noted an elated
Glo Hinojosa who scored a fifth win on the year and second shutout from three saves. "They defended me like I defend them, and I really appreciated all their hard work."
BIG WEST BOUND
As mentioned, non-conference play ends for the 'Eaters with a record of 5-3. Next comes Big West Conference play that begins Saturday, September 26, with a 1:00 p.m. match in Anteater Stadium against UC San Diego. It's the beginning of a 10-match conference season with the top four teams in the standings earning a spot in the Big West Tournament.
