IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer came through late in the Big West First Round matchup Wednesday against Cal State Fullerton in Anteater Stadium advancing with a 1-0 victory.
The sides had some of the better chances in the match within the first six minutes:
- Samuel Atiye got things started with a tough-angle shot turned away in the third minute
- That chance led to a pair of corner kicks with the second landing right to Josh Kenworthy in a prime scoring position, but his header just skipped over the crossbar.
- Cal State Fullerton came down the other end earning corner of their own, The feed was cleared out to Fernando Valenzuela who slipped a chance through traffic that Luke Pruter got a piece of, and the rebound was sent high by the Titans keep the match at 0-0 after six minutes.
- The best chance in the opening frame came in the 19th minute on another corner that stuck near the goalmouth before Nolan DiCenzo knocked it on goal, but keeper Brandon Limes was there to snag it before it clear his head.
The first half was physical with both teams hungry to get on the board first, but nothing showing on the scoreboard and no real threat after DiCenzo's try as the Titans held the 6-4 shot advantage while UCI earning five of the six corners
The intensity and physicality ramped up even more in the second half right from the first whistle. Cal State Fullerton was on the hunt putting up five of the half's first six shots, but nothing got through to Pruter. Cal State Fullerton finished the match with the shot advantage, 12-8, but had just one on target that came in the sixth minute.
The referees let the sides play with bumps and shoves across the pitch through the early minutes of the half, but only a handful of fouls and just two cautions from players on the pitch in the entire match
The 'Eaters kept coming and made their chances count with just four shots in the half and three on frame:
- Brady Treinen's long set piece floated on goal in the 68th minute
- Marcus Lee had another in the 75th minute taking advantage of a slip from the defense, but the keeper scooped it up with ease
The breakthrough came in the 80th minute with the ball heading around the attacking third for UCI.
Brady Treinen finally collected the ball at his feet on the left wing and lofted a cross over the box to
Misael Gonzalez. He turned and drove on net near the touchline, but somehow found enough room to stuff a shot by the keeper and inside the far upper corner to claim the 1-0 Anteater lead.
The Titans upped their attack and earned a few chances on corner kicks in the final minutes, but just one non-threatening chance as the defense held for the victory.
Pruter in goal needed just one save, but he and his backline picked up the shutout, his second of the year and the fifth for the squad.
Gonzalez's strike was his fifth this year, fourth coming against Big West competition, and his second game-winner. The deserved assist from Treinen is his fifth this year and fourth assist of a game-winner.
The win moves UC Irvine on to the Big West Semifinal that will be played at 2-seed UC Santa Barbara on Saturday, November 9 kicking off at 7:00 p.m.
- UCI fell at UC Santa Barbara in conference play this year, 1-0, at home while the Gauchos were ranked No. 23 and UCI had field player Braden Ferreira in goal for the match
- UCI improves to 13-5-2 all-time in Big West Championship matches and 2-2 in First Round contests.
- Saturday will be UCI's 11th semifinal appearance and fourth against the Gauchos as the sides will meet in the semis for a third consecutive season.
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