Thursday, August 17
Irvine, Calif.
6:00 PM
UC Irvine
1-0-0, 0-0-0
2
vs
1
Saint Mary's
0-1-0, 0-0-0
| Team | 1 | 2 | Final F |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Mary's (CA) | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| UC Irvine | 0 | 2 | 2 |
Photo by: Matt Brown
'Eaters Fight Back for Opening Day Win, 2-1
August 17, 2023 | Women's Soccer
IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer fought back with a big second half to win the season opener, 2-1, in Anteater Stadium over Saint Mary's.
UC IRVINE 2, SAINT MARY'S 1
Β
The 'Eaters start the year 1-0-0 winning the opener for a second straight season. Saint Mary's drops to 0-1-0 on the year.
Up next for the Anteaters is a home date Sunday, August 20, kicking off a 3:00 p.m. with the 2022 Pac-12 champions Stanford Cardinal making their first appearance at Anteater Stadium since 1988.
UC IRVINE 2, SAINT MARY'S 1
- The visiting Gaels got on the board first taking advantage of an Anteater defensive error to go up 1-0 in the 11th minute by Briana Salvetti
- UCI evened the score in the 53rd minute with Erin Covey and Alyssa Moore teaming up to feed Emilie Castagna on the doorstep to punch home the equalizer, 1-1
- The go-ahead strike came in the 72nd minute with Alyssa Moore launching a shot off the far post that fell right to Mirayah Villalpando to send it back home, 2-1
- Villalpando's goal was the first goal and point of her career in just her third career match.
- Moore earned an assist on both goals for her second career two-assist match
- Glo Hinojosa celebrated her 50th career match played with win 28 as an Anteater
- Triumphant returns for an Anteater duo - Chloe Ragon and Mihaela Perez. Both players missed the 2022 season recovering from injuries.
A look at Mirayah Villalpando's first career goal to give the 'Eaters the lead in the 72nd minute ??#TogetherWeZot #RipEm #STRONGWomen pic.twitter.com/y0SgNvuuWV
β UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) August 18, 2023
Β
Mirayah Villalpando, tell us how you're feeling ?? #RipEm pic.twitter.com/GuBAtxylrd
β UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) August 18, 2023
The 'Eaters start the year 1-0-0 winning the opener for a second straight season. Saint Mary's drops to 0-1-0 on the year.
Up next for the Anteaters is a home date Sunday, August 20, kicking off a 3:00 p.m. with the 2022 Pac-12 champions Stanford Cardinal making their first appearance at Anteater Stadium since 1988.
Team Stats
SMC
UCI
Goals
1
2
Shots
8
6
Shots on Goal
3
4
Saves
2
2
Corners
4
9
Fouls
11
10
Scoring Plays
Briana Salvetti (1)
Back pass in defensive third, stolen by 21, finishes from 8 yards
10:50
Emilie Castagna (1)
Assisted By: Alyssa Moore , Erin Covey
20 feed up right wing, 16 centers from touchline, 28 finishes in front
52:36
Mirayah Villalpando (1)
Assisted By: Alyssa Moore
16 shot from left wing off far post, rebound to 2 returns inside near post
71:49
Game Leaders
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
2
fwd
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's SoccerDrop your FIFA World Cup 2026 final predictions below ππ
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