UC Irvine
9-6-3, 5-3-1
UC Santa Barbara
10-8-2, 4-3-2
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Santa Barbara | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| UC Irvine | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Anteaters Comeback for 2-1 Win over UCSB
November 04, 2023 | Men's Soccer
[2] UC IRVINE 2, [3] UC SANTA BARBARA 1
- The sides met for a seventh time all-time in a Big West Championship match and the third year in a row after UCSB won the previous two on their home field
- The first half was a bit of a chess match with either side having some solid chances
- UCSB had a pair of shots on target with one diving save by Luke Pruter well off his line to thwart the early score
- The 'Eaters had more shots, 6-3, with two golden chances in the final minute as Mario Anaya bounced a long shot on goal that was saved, but Noah Clarkson's rebound chance was sent high
- After emerging from the scoreless half, the Gauchos got the scoring going in the 56th minute as Nemo Phillip settled a ball on the right wing and howled a laser shot into the upper left corner for a 1-0 UCSB lead
- The Anteaters didn't let that last long as fifth-year Eddy Berumen blocked a clearing chance and put himself on a breakaway finishing with the left foot around the keeper to tie things at 1-1 in the 68th minute
- UCI kept the momentum finding a go-ahead goal in the 79th minute. Samuel Atiye began the rush finding Noah Clarkson whose pass to the touchline to Agaton Pourshahidi was sent back to the goalmouth where Atiye punched it home for a 2-1 lead
- The defense held the line and did not allow another shot for the final 10 minutes to secure the win
- Pruter made three saves in goal to push UC Irvine to its seventh Big West Final
- Berumen's goal was the first of his career in his 50th career match
- Atiye scored his third as an Anteater, second this year, and first career game-winner with Pourshahidi and Clarkson each contributing their first career assists
Brady in position to deny the goal-scoring opportunity #RipEm pic.twitter.com/SdAfEf9DAN
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) November 5, 2023
Luke unreal reaction well off his line to make the save on a dive #RipEm pic.twitter.com/VUcqV8ytNp
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) November 5, 2023
Near misses right before the half on a Mario grounder and Noah follow-up #RipEm pic.twitter.com/dxw7G5PNYL
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) November 5, 2023
Luke full extension to keep another shot out #TWZ pic.twitter.com/it8cgjWoxr
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) November 5, 2023
EDDDDYYYYY!!!! ? Money with the steal, drive, and finish
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) November 5, 2023
We're level 1-1 in the 68th minute #HardWorkPaysOff pic.twitter.com/qA5IXNbEAL
SAMMMMMMMMM!!! ? from Agaton and Noah
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) November 5, 2023
'Eaters lead 2-1 in the 79th minute #HardWorkPaysOff pic.twitter.com/8hy2GQhlQs
The Anteaters will host the Big West Final on Saturday, November 11 after 4-seed UC Davis upset the top seed, Cal State Fullerton, 2-1 in overtime Saturday night. The kickoff time is yet to be determined.
Team Stats
Nemo Philipp (5)
Assisted By: Caden Vom Steeg , Filip Basili
golazo on a line from 30 yards right wing
55:50
Eddy Berumen (1)
2 blocks clearing attempt, drives and scores inside left post
67:30
Samuel Atiye (2)
Assisted By: Agaton Pourshahidi , Noah Clarkson
building along left wing, 9 from touchline, 27 tap-in
78:10
