IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer's non-conference finale resulted in another one-goal loss falling 1-0 to Loyola Marymount Thursday night in Anteater Stadium.

CAUTIONARY TALE
Thursday night's match was physical between the two squads right from the beginning. Heavy hitting led to numerous cautions starting in the 15th minute to LMU (5-2-2) as UCI's Oscar Cervantes had to leave for a substitute after a bloodied nose from an elbow in a scrum for the ball. They added a second in the 22nd minute before the 'Eaters evened up with cards in the 25th and 31st minutes in the first half.

UCI (0-8-1) picked up two more in the second half before LMU completed the total of seven cautions handed out between the two teams on the night along with 27 fouls recorded.

SETTLING THE SCORE
Amidst all the physicality, both attacks had plenty of chances with each side registering 13 shots on the game. The 'Eaters managed one shot on target with others blocked by defenders and their closest chance in the match coming in the 54th minute. Passes in the attacking third ricocheted to Robert Mejia on the wing who looked to center the ball. His feed knocked off multiple LMU players before careening off the corner of the woodwork before LMU keeper Mitchell Wilson could react.

The Lions put four of their shots on target with Luke Pruter keen to three of them, but LMU made one count that decided the match. In the 38th minute, the Lions looked for a way to penetrate the UCI defense, and defender Corbin Mercade went over the top with a feed in to Christian Ortiz whose header continued along to Marco Byers-Mora who won position and the ball and shoveled it by for the game's only goal and the 1-0 lead.

FINAL SCORE: LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 1, UC IRVINE 0
The 'Eaters complete their non-conference slate going winless at 0-8-1 and are now winless in 11 straight dating back to 2021. The loss is UCI's third straight by a single goal and sixth in nine matches this season.

Pruter collected his three saves on the night with a trio of Anteaters leading in shots with Juan Barragan-Manzo, Ashish Chattha, and Robert Mejia all with three each.

The calendar turns over to Big West play with UCI's next match which also comes at home on Wednesday, September 28. The 'Eaters host Cal State Fullerton with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff.