THROW-INS
3rd - Since returning to one division in the Big West in 2018, UCI has finished 3rd or higher each season with a 2018 title
6 - The Anteaters and Gauchos have finished regulation tied in 6 of their last 7 matches with four ending in draws
2+ - In the last 29 UCI vs. UCR meetings, there has been one draw, nine matches decided by one goal, and 2+ goals in 27 of them
3-0-1 - UCI began the year 3-0-1 unbeaten in their first four, the program's best start under head coach Yossi Raz
 #1 - Coach Raz's 2019 recruiting class was ranked #1 in the nation with four on the 2023 roster and two now playing pro
9th - UCI's draw with No. 8 Creighton marks the 9th result in program history against a program ranked 8th or higher

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 $15 and enforced at all times. Hourly permits ($5 per hour) and ParkbyPlate (Code: SPORTS@UCI) are also available to purchase ahead of time

 

· UCI began 2023 with its best start under coach Raz unbeaten (3-0-1) in their first four matches including two shutouts and a draw with No. 8-ranked Creighton. UCI even earned votes in the United Soccer Coaches poll in two separate weeks.
· The Anteaters have drawn two crowds of over 1,000 fans this season including their most recent vs. UCLA and 1,201 fans vs. No. 1 Stanford, the largest since 2014
· Luke Pruter in net stopped six shots Saturday, his season high and fifth career match with six or more saves. He has 114 in his career, approaching the Anteater top-10, and claimed his 100th career save in a win vs. Gonzaga on his birthday
· Notable Anteater stat leaders begin with Ricardo Ibarra who tops the roster with 67 career matches played, 52 starts, and 4,444 minutes. In addition, his nine career assist lead all active Anteaters
· Jake Means is the only 'Eater with two goals this year and leads active 'Eaters with seven in his career. He's also tops with 76 shots, 32 on target, and netted his first career game-winner in the match at Omaha
· Francesco Montanile is UCI's active points leader with 18 (5 G, 8 A). He also has two career game-winners tied with Oscar Cervantes as the active leaders

Wednesday vs. the Highlanders
· UC Irvine and UC Riverside meet for the 38th time in their histories. UCI has claimed 22 wins, and their matches are routinely exciting with two or more goals in 27 of the last 29 matchups and just one draw. Assistant Coach Chris Volk is back on the UCR sideline, he spent 20 seasons as an Anteater coach, three as the head coach
· UCR were Big West champions in 2022 in the regular season and tournament, and thrashed UCI at their place, 4-0. This year, they are searching for their first win at 0-6-2 notable falling to Gonzaga, 2-1, and earning a scoreless draw with San Diego. They've scored just three goals despite returning five All-Big West players from a year ago including co-Goalkeeper of the Year Carlos Gonzalez and 13 goals between Brendan Clark and Noah Lopez

Saturday at the Gauchos
· The class of the Big West UC Santa Barbara welcomes UCI where the sides have met in each of the last two Big West Tournaments. UCSB holds a 35-18-7 series lead with the sides finishing regulation tied in six of the last seven. This year, they are 5-4 with all five wins at home including a 2-1 victory over common opponent, UNLV
· In nine matches, UCSB and its opponents have combined to score 39 goals, 4.33 a match. Nemo Philipp has accounted for four with five others contributing a pair. Leroy Zeller is back in net earning a shutout vs. Cal Poly with key defenders Jorge Aldana and Haruki Utsumi in front of him