IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer playing their first match in Anteater Stadium hosting UCLA Friday night, and drew the loss on an own goal to fall, 1-0.

STADIUM SEATING
Anteater Stadium was open to the fans Friday evening as they packed in 858 to watch the home opener. This crowd is the fourth-largest since head coach Yossi Raz took over in 2017.

The fans had a rough start as the visitors got on the board first in an unconventional way. Tucker Lepley, who had just fired the first shot on frame five minutes earlier, got loose on the right wing near the touchline and fed a ball through the goalmouth. He didn't find any fellow Bruins, but instead knocked it off an Anteater defender and into the back of the net for an own goal to put the Anteaters (0-3) behind, 1-0.

The sides jousted for the remainder of the half jockeying for possession and firing a few shots, but the score didn't budge at 1-0.

TRADING BLOWS
Each side had chances in the second half putting up four shots each and testing each keeper.

Anteater keeper Gordon Botterill was peppered with three shots on target from UCLA (2-1) collecting each as part of his four saves on the night.

Ashish Chattha had a golden opportunity for UCI in the 64th minute bearing down on goal from the right wing, but his shot was swatted away for a corner kick.

The 'Eaters nearly equalized in the 76th minute driving following a foul at midfield. A low cross to the left post found a sliding Ricardo Ibarra, but his touch bounded off the near post and out standing as the final real chance of the evening for UC Irvine.

FINAL SCORE: UCLA 1, UC IRVINE 0
A number of Anteaters made their debuts on Anteater Stadium Friday night - 10 in total, including Jake Means who came on late in each half to make his collegiate debut. He took over in the first half for Juan Barragan-Manzo who was injured following a shot and did not return. Elsewhere, Ashish Chattha graced the starting XI for the first time as Anteater.

In net, Botterill stopped all four shots that UCLA fired at him as he's picked up 16 saves on the season. UCLA's Justin Garces made two saves turning away Chattha and Victor Sandsmark-Evensen.

MAS LOS ANGELES
The week finishes up back on the road with a short trip to Loyola Marymount, currently ranked No. 15 and unbeaten in its last 12 matches dating back to 2019 after winning at Cal State Fullerton tonight in overtime. The sides kick off Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. with the match broadcasted on the WCC Network.