IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer could not find an equalizer in a defensive bout Saturday night in Anteater Stadium falling, 1-0, to UC Davis.
UC DAVIS 1, UC IRVINE 0
- A meeting between a pair of defensive-minded, possession-heavy sides produced a tight affair starting with a pair of non-threatening shots in the first 25 minutes.
- The physical Aggies began to rack up the infractions with six in that first 25 minutes and a 10-3 edge in the half, however there were no cards dished out for the entire match
- The 27th minute saw the best chance of the opening half as a turnover put the Aggies on the attack and a close shot was tipped over the bar on a quick reaction by Luke Pruter to keep things level
- The 'Eaters mustered a couple chances with Mario Anaya missing closely on a set piece, and then again running onto a rebound from 20 yards out that skirted by the left post
- All in all, the match entered the left the half scoreless. UC Davis was behind in shot attempts, but quickly put up a few, and their third of the half turned the match.
- In the 61st minute, UC Davis began a charge up the left sideline started by Cole Pond and driven up the wing by Cason Goodman. His centering feed found an unmarked Lucas Fernandez-Kim who gathered and shot inside the left post for the 1-0 UCD lead
- UCI countered with a chance soon after the goal that was saved. They put up some golden opportunities starting in the 75th minute.
- A low corner kick toward the top of the box bounded around the box before finding Agaton Pourshahidi who turned and fired through the keeper, but he caught enough of it that it trickled through and he made the stop before the goalline.
- A few minutes later, another cross from the corner came in hitting Jake Means who popped a shot up and bicycled it on goal that was saved by the quick hand of UCD keeper Charles Janssen keeping it out of the net and potentially on another Anteater waiting at the far post
- The Aggie defense did their job the rest of the way muffling UCI's attacks with a pair of chances going wide and securing the 1-0 defeat of the 'Eaters
- A total of just 17 shots in the match were made with UCI putting more up, 9-8, and more on target, 3-2, and had a 6-4 corner kick edge
- Luke Pruter made one save in the match
- The foul count saw UC Davis with 17, more than doubling the seven for UCI
UCI is now 1-2-1 in Big West play, winless in their last three and on four points in the standings, tied with five other programs for fifth. UC Davis gets back even at 2-2 in Big West play and in fourth place, and 5-5-2 overall.
The Anteaters are back on the road for their next match heading to Cal State Fullerton Wednesday, October 11, kicking off at 7:00 p.m. They then return home for two straight after that; October 14 vs. CSUN and October 18 vs. Cal Poly.
