UC Irvine
10-7-6, 3-3-4
Gonzaga
14-4-2, 6-1-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Irvine | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Gonzaga | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Anteaters Reach Sweet Sixteen with 2-1 Win
November 17, 2023 | Women's Soccer
UC IRVINE 2, [8] GONZAGA 1
- UCI is moving on to its third appearance in the NCAA Third Round all-time and second year in a row.
- A quick-start on offense proved well for the 'Eaters getting the scoring started in the fifth minute. A ball was cleared to Kiera Smeenge who put it right back toward goal and onto Laila El Behery who settled it and shot it lifting it over the defense and keeper but under the bar to put UC Irvine ahead, 1-0.
- In the 17th minute, UCI was at it again after a throw in toward the touchline gave Tati Fung room to track across toward goal and slot a pass into space for Lilli Rask to slide and redirect it back on net and in for a 2-0 Anteater lead
- The attack-minded Bulldogs began to find their rhythm and advanced on Glo Hinojosa and the back line to the tune of seven saves in the on the night
- As the half approached, Gonzaga did find some relief and the back of the net in the 39th minute as a blocked shot landed to Katelyn Rigg whose attempt pinged off the right post and in to close it to a 2-1 game at halftime
- Defense turned it up for the final 45 minutes even without starters Madison Goerlinger, who was injured last week, and Suus de Bakker who was taken off right before the halftime whistle. Gonzaga put up 11 of their 17 shots in the second half and turned four on frame with Glo Hinojosa snagging all of them for seven in the match and just enough to carry UC Irvine to a 2-1 win
- Goals on the match went to Laila El Behery, her fourth of 2023 and eighth as an Anteater, and Lilli Rask saving the best time for her first goal of 2023 and first of her college career.
- Assists wen to Tati Fung, her team-leading ninth, Suus de Bakker for her second this season and fourth all-time, and Kiera Smeenge's first of her career
- The Anteaters move their record to 10-7-6 on the season winners of four straight and unbeaten in five. UCI moves to 6-3-2 all-time in the NCAA Championship and 2-1-1 in Second Round matches
- UC Irvine awaits its next opponent between the winner of [5] Nebraska and Tennessee to play Sunday, November 19 at 11:00 a.m. PDT
LAILAAAAAAA!! ? Kiera hits her, the turn, the chip, and the lead!!
β UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) November 17, 2023
'Eaters up 1-0 in the 5th minute #RipEm #NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/l1ehRUhjxH
ΒGET IN!!!! ? Tati finds Lilli (17') for a thing of beauty!
β UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) November 17, 2023
UC Irvine 2-0 [8] Gonzaga #TWZ #NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/XADYhZ2O0C
'Eaters weathering the storm and Glo picks up her first saves like this one - early subs in are Alyssa, Aislynn, and Sophie
β UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) November 17, 2023
32' | UCI 2-0 [8] GON #TWZ pic.twitter.com/5wZykDE6iX
Glo with the slick mitts pulls this one down #STRONGwomen pic.twitter.com/Z58Wt52FE2
β UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) November 17, 2023
Checking in tonight for the 50th time as an 'Eater is Autumn #STRONGwomen #RipEm #TogetherWeZot pic.twitter.com/ASdbXU0LFP
β UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) November 17, 2023
'EATERS ARE STILL DANCIN'!!!!
β UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) November 17, 2023
UC IRVINE 2, [8] GONZAGA 1#STRONGWOMEN #RIPEM #TOGETHERWEZOT #NCAASOCCER pic.twitter.com/lIxeHkHZov
Team Stats
Laila El Behery (4)
Assisted By: Kiera Smeenge
GOAL by UCI El Behery, Laila Assist by Smeenge, Kiera.
04:07
Lilli Rask (1)
Assisted By: Tati Fung , Suus de Bakker
GOAL by UCI Rask, Lilli Assist by Fung, Tati and de Bakker, Suus.
16:27
Katelyn Rigg (4)
GOAL by Gonzag Rigg, Katelyn.
39:04
