IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer began their trek through conference play with a loss in Anteater Stadium Sunday afternoon, 1-0, to the visiting UC San Diego Tritons.

FIRST TOUCHES
The two sides we meeting for the first time at Big West foes as UCSD (3-6-1, 1-1-0) joined the conference in 2020, and the first time overall since 1992.

The first half became a feeling-out process as neither side could find a goal. The first attempt for UC Irvine (5-4, 0-1) from Scarlett Camberos was popped just high landed on top of the goal from 20 yards while UCSD striker Kennedy Carter punched a shot right at Glo Hinojosa to test each defense early.

Aside from the scoreboard, the Anteaters held the advantage in nearly every category heading into the half with seven shots to three, three of the five corners, and a majority of the possession.

ON THE RUSH
The match shifted early in the second half as the scoreless draw was broken. Michelle Baddour delivered an on-target cross in the box finding forward Kennedy Carter who punched a volley ahead of the challenging Anteater defenders and in for a 1-0 UCSD lead in the 51st minute.

UCI doubled down the attack looking to equalize. The match's next six shots came from the Anteaters including Camberos whose career-high eight shot attempts were unsuccessful including four on frame to test Triton keeper, Keara Fitzgerald.

The best chance came in the down the final stretch from a ball lofted through the box found Camberos near the far post in the 86th minute. She couldn't find the best handle on the bounding ball, but redirected it with her thigh just off the post and out to turn away the late equalizer.

FINAL SCORE: UC SAN DIEGO 1, UC IRVINE 0
The loss stops the Anteater momentum in its tracks after a massive win over Pac-12 side, Cal, last week. The 'Eaters are left without a point after one Big West match, and have now dropped the last two in Anteater Stadium.

Overall, UCI's 17-7 shot advantage went for naught, and five directed on frame that were saved by Fitzgerald. UCSD also had five shots on target with Hinojosa saving four of them.

UCI was without the services of rising freshman Laila El Behery who is out on international duty playing with the Egyptian under-20 squad looking to qualify for the u20 Women's World Cup. Notable appearances did come from Julia Gonzalez collecting her first career start in her 24th career match and putting in a career-high 45 minutes on the heels of the game-winning goal against Cal. A collegiate debut saw Dutch native Suus de Bakker enter as a sub for the final six minutes looking for an offensive spark from the freshman.

TIME TO REGROUP
UCI will get a lot of chances soon to jump back in the Big West title race with a pair of matches upcoming next week. The Anteaters head back out on the road for a second matchup this season with Cal State Fullerton, Thursday, September 30, for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Fullerton. The week ends in Anteater Stadium once again for a 1:00 p.m. match against UC Riverside in Anteater Stadium, October 3.