FULLERTON, Calif. --- The Anteaters and Titans battled into overtime in the Big West First Round matchup in Titan Stadium Sunday night and UCI came up with a huge 2-0 win on a pair of overtime goals.
GLOWING REVIEW
The play of the match wasn't even a goal but a save at a key time. In the 65th minute, a foul in the box earned
Maddy Chavez a yellow card and Cal State Fullerton (9-6-5, 6-2-2) a penalty kick. Kaya Hawkinson stepped up for the shot, but
Glo Hinojosa flew into action making the stop and keeping the match scoreless.
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Like the matchup in the regular season, the sides were scoreless after 90 minutes despite the Anteaters with countless chances. They took a 17-10 shot advantage into the overtime periods including eight on target.
DOUBLE DUTCH
The return of overtime came in the very first match of the Big West Tournament, and without a golden goal this time around, the teams strapped in for 20 minutes extra time.
UC Irvine (8-5-6, 3-2-5) would test this out early with a goal five minutes in.
Amber Huff lined up for a corner kick, and her cross found a flying
Suus de Bakker who punch a shot through traffic, off Titan keeper Mia Ranson, and in for the 1-0 lead in the first overtime.
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The Anteaters kept the lead into the second overtime period, and less than two minutes into that, Huff and the 'Eaters were at it again. Again, her corner was curled perfectly into the box, and this time an unmarked
Destinee Manzo came busting through and turned a header on and inside the far post to make it 2-0 'Eaters in the 102nd minute.
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FINAL SCORE / 2OT: UC IRVINE 2, CAL STATE FULLERTON 0
The Anteaters finished their seventh match this year even through 90 minutes, but weren't without their attack out-shooting the Titans 23-12 including 11 shots on target and a 6-2 advantage in the overtime periods alone.
For de Bakker, she notches her second career goal and first game-winner. She joins
Lilli Rask's three goals as defender with goals on the season.
Destinee Manzo added the insurance goal to take the team lead on the year with five now. She's also the active leader with nine in her career and 26 points.
Amber Huff assisted on both goals with corner kicks and has built an impressive streak with assists on each of UCI's last five goals over the last two matches.
Hinojosa in net played her part with her eighth shutout of 2022 and 18th career shutout. She now has posted a shutout in all three Big West Tournament matches she's started. HInojosa added three saves for 64 on the year and 139 in her career including her second career penalty save.
UC Irvine is on to the Big West Semifinals which will take place in San Luis Obispo hosted by Cal Poly. The Anteaters match up with 2-seed UC Davis in their semifinal match that will kick off at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3.
