NEW HAVEN, Conn. --- UC Irvine men's soccer couldn't get anything going in their Saturday road match at Reese Stadium against Yale dropping the contest, 2-0.
YALE 2, UC IRVINE 0
- The first half was a defensive struggle with one shot between the sides for the first 30 minutes
- Yale got a pair of golden opportunities in the 37th minute first heading along a free kick that Luke Pruter dove to save. Shortly thereafter, an errant pass put the Bulldogs in a 1v1 chance that was slid outside the near post
- The seconds of the half ticked down and Yale pounced on a pass intercepting it in UCI's defensive third with a centering feed tipped into the back of the net with just 19 seconds left before the break to go up, 1-0.
- UC Irvine's attack unfolded to start the second half with three prime chances in the first 10 minutes that were all just off target
- Pruter was challenged again with a shot off the wing that he turned aside during that first 10-minute stanza
- The 57th minute saw the momentum shift in favor of Yale with another defensive-half interception turn into a chance as another centering feed towards the top of the box was slid in for a 2-0 Bulldog lead
- UCI beared down on the attack looking to draw Yale closer, but were held without a shot until Jake Means' half-volley off a brilliant touchline feed in the 84th minute that the Bulldogs punched away to keep the lead and hold on for the win
- Pruter turned aside two saves in the match
- UCI was out-shot for the first time all season, but still held Yale under 10 shots to keep their streak alive of seven matches
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UCI returns from their trip with a 3-2-2 record while Yale goes to 2-3. The 'Eaters drop their first matchup to an Ivy League program now 2-1-1 all-time. Next up is the final non-conference matchup of the year as UCI hosts UCLA on Saturday, September 23 with kickoff at 6:00 p.m. at Anteater Stadium
