SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer dropped an early lead to the hosts Cal Poly Sunday evening at Spanos Stadium to fall, 2-1, for its first Big West loss.
FIRST HALF FIREWORKS
The two sides that were low on wins and scoring so far this season had a fast start on the scoreboard. Cal Poly (1-8-1, 1-0-1) got the offense going with a prime chance in the fifth minute that
Luke Pruter was able to tip up and over the goal to keep things scoreless. He saved the Mustangs' next shot as well following the ensuing corner kick to keep him on his toes early.
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Next, it was the Anteaters (1-9-1, 1-1-0) pushing the envelope with the match's next three shots in the span of three minutes, but all missed the mark. The fourth shot was true and put the 'Eaters on the board. In the 19th minute, UCI cycled the ball around the attacking third before
Mario Anaya laid a perfect cross from the point toward the six-yard box finding
Ashish Chattha for the leap and header inside the right post and a 1-0 UC Irivine lead.
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Cal Poly quickly found their rhythm and were able to equalize quickly. A turnover set the Mustangs in motion, and Jackson Kestler's steal made its way to Conner Lisenbee who finished from close-range in the 24th minute to tie things at 1-1. The Mustangs soon had the lead as Richie Garcia drove through the Anteater defense into the box in the 33rd minute. The defense initially snuffed out the charge, but an errant clearance landed to Tony Ruiz who put it on net and in for a 2-1 Cal Poly lead.
FINAL SCORE: CAL POLY 2, UC IRVINE 1
The second half finish goalless as the side put up 12 of the 25 total shots together in the second half, but only two were on frame with each keeper collecting a save. Pruter finished with four on the evening as the 'Eaters held the shot advantage, 13-12, while corner kicks were even, 6-6.
Tempers rose in the second half with three of the four cautions coming then including a scuffle in the 74th minute that saw yellows go to Chattha and Cal Poly Alhasan Alkasati.
Chattha did come away with a goal in the match, his first of the year and fifth of his Anteater career to lead all active players.
Mario Anaya's assist was his second, just the second Anteater with multiple helpers this year.
The loss stings as its gave Cal Poly their first win of 2022 and leap-frogs them over UCI in the standings to second in the Big West on four points. UCI's brief winning streak was ended as it now sits in third with five other Big West schools at three points through two matches.
Conference play moves along next week with two more matches for UCI. The 'Eaters begin on the road with a 3:00 p.m. matchup at UC Davis on Wednesday, October 5, before a return home for a Saturday night contest hosting Sacramento State, October 8.
