RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer checked all the right boxes Sunday at UCR Soccer Stadium scoring a 1-0 victory to claim a spot in the Big West Championship and more.
The decisive goal came early in the second half as the team went the first 45 scoreless. UCI charged up the right wing as
Chloe Ragon collected the ball and turned toward goal lofting a cross into the box.
Laila El Behery was on the other end shooting a header over the keeper and under the bar for a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute.
To that point, the Anteaters had commanded the match to that point with all seven of the shots in the first half, two of them on target, and both of the match's corner kicks. The 'Eaters even had the next two following the goal finishing the made with a 15-4 edge in that category.
The Highlanders made a concerted effort to get that goal back with four high-quality chances in the remaining portion of the match including a set piece headed on goal that
Ashley Naylor saved with a dive just minute later.
The 'Eaters managed to run out the clock on their clinical performance where they did not allow a corner kick and committed just five fouls without a card issued.
The win sets UCI up with an overall record of 6-6-6 and 16 Big West points on a record of 4-2-4. UC Irvine finishes tied for third in the Big West thanks to other results on the final matchday and will host the Big West First Round matchup in Anteater Stadium, Sunday, November 3, as the 4-seed. UCI returns to the Big West Championship for a fourth straight year seeking a fourth straight Big West title. Overall, UCI is making their 16th appearance and 13th under head coach
Scott Juniper.
Goal scorer
Laila El Behery notched her sixth goal of the season and third game-winner, both leading the team along with her 13th point.
Chloe Ragon provided the assist, her first point of the season as she's up to five assists and 11 points in her six-year career.
Ashley Naylor was large in net with two big saves on the for shots put up by UCR. She now has five shutouts this year, 49 saves, and is currently sporting a 224-minute shutout streak.
Sunday's match will kick off at 6:00 p.m. in Anteater Stadium. UC Irvine's opponent is fifth-seed Cal State Bakersfield. The winner moves on to the semifinals that will be hosted by Hawai'i starting Thursday, November 7, and the final will be Sunday, November 10 at 1:00 p.m. PST.
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