THROW-INS
51st - Sunday is the 51st matchup with a ranked opponent in UCI history and eighth time taking on a ranked UCLA squad
17 - The 'Eaters have earned 17 corner kicks in their first two matches, five more than the next most for a Big West team
3 - UCI led the Big West with 3 on Preseason All-Big West (Moore, Hinojosa, Creighton) and is projected to finish in 3rd place
#18 - For the second time in program history, the Anteaters finished the season in the top 25 at #18 in 2022 (#14 in 2010)
14 - UCI started the 2023 season just outside of the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 preseason poll receiving 14 votes, head into Week 2 with three votes
No. 1 - UC Irvine challenges the No. 1 team in the nation Sunday for the second time in history, the last coming vs. UCLA in 2014
 

 

Clear Bag Policy
Only clear bags permitted with maximum size 12" x 12" x 6"
Foldable chairs, blankets, and other items for seating are still permitted

Concessions
Concessions available at the stadium. Outside food or drink, other than a water bottle, are not permitted

Parking
Permits are $13 and enforced at all times. Hourly permits ($2 per hour) and ParkbyPlate (Code: SPORTS@UCI) are also available to purchase ahead of time

 

· UC Irvine and Stanford found a way last week moving their match to Saturday to avoid the hurricane bearing down on California. It was Stanford's first trip to Irvine since drawing 0-0 in 1998. No. 11 Stanford marked the 50th matchup vs. a ranked opponent for UCI as well. UCI's fifth-minute goal was its first in four all-time meetings and it also earned more corners, 8-6.
· Glo Hinojosa is back in net in her sixth season. She earned her 50th career appearance to open the season and win No. 28. She made seven saves in last week's matches helping her climb to No. 9 in UCI history with 168 passing Janice Taft and now one behind Allison Merrick for eighth.
· Mirayah Villalpando got on the scoresheet with her first career goal and point that turned out to be the game-winner vs. Saint Mary's. It was her third career match as she played more minutes Thursday (36) than all 2022 (20).
· Alyssa Moore continues to control the attack and it showed with two assists on UCI's two goals Thursday. Her first was a cross to Emilie Castagna while the second was a shot that hit the post landing perfectly to set up Villalpando's winner
· Erin Covey got the massive strike to put the Anteaters on top of No. 11 Stanford in the fifth minute. She also contributed with an assist on UCI's first goal in Thursday's matchup.
· The Anteaters did something last week they hadn't all last year which was come back from a halftime deficit. Down 1-0, UCI scored twice to beat Saint Mary's, something UC Irvine had failed to do in it's last five opportunities dating back to September 30, 2021 vs. CS Fullerton.

Thursday vs. the Tigers
· The former Big West rivals meet up for the first time since 2012 when Pacific plays UC Irvine. The programs meet for the 26th time with UCI winning 13 of those with one draw including a 7-4 mark in Anteater Stadium.
· The Tigers had a raucous start drawing 4-4 at UC San Diego on opening night before taking care of Eastern Washington, 3-2. After six wins in a three-year stretch, they've risen to a 7-3-10 mark a year ago and a 10-win season in 2021, and are led by three of their top five scorers from 2022 - Jaida Nyby, Anaya Shelton, and Haley Johnson.

Sunday vs. the Bruins
· Sunday night the Anteaters will host the reigning National Champions for the first time for a regular season contest when No. 1 UCLA comes to town. It's the 15th meeting all-time and sixth in Anteater Stadium with the last coming in 1998. The 'Eaters have a home win that came in 1995, and return nine players and seven starters from that historic NCAA win in 2021.
· UCLA brings a heralded crew of their own with eight starters from last year's championship match, four players that have been listed as United Soccer Coaches Preseason Watch List members, and seven players that saw minutes in the 2021 NCAA Tournament matchup.
· The Bruins are off to a 1-0 start defeating Georgia, 2-0, before canceling vs. Portland due to weather. UCLA will host Cal Poly before their first road game of the season in Irvine.