CORVALLIS, Ore. --- UC Irvine men's soccer opened the season at No. 4 Oregon State mounting a late rally at Paul Lorenz Field before falling, 2-1, Thursday night.
- The Anteaters were on the defense in the first half holding the potent Oregon State attack at bay. The Beavers put up 10 shots to UCI's zero and fired three on target that Luke Pruter pulled down, but the score read 0-0 at the break
- The Beavers broke through 10 minutes in the second half to go up 1-0 off the foot of Ellis Spikner
- UCI's attack began to make some ground with its first shot prior to the goal trying to level things
- Oregon State continued to pressure and it paid off in the 84th minute as Pere Belmonte fired a shot no one could save from distance to make it a 2-0 deficit for the 'Eaters
- UCI answered 74 seconds later on a brilliant sequence into the attacking third as Francesco Montanile fed Travis Babineau who slotted a pass off the touchline to Agaton Pourshahidi who poked his first touch between OSU's keeper and the near post to make it a 2-1 game in the 86th minute
- The Anteaters couldn't find the equalizer losing with a final of 2-1 against the fourth-ranked Beavers
- Shots were 15-3 in favor of the Beavers who also took all six corners
- Luke Pruter saved five shots on the match while the 'Eaters' only shot on target went home for a goal
- The team's active goal leader Pourshahidi added to his total with the fifth of his career
- Montanile added to his active lead in assists with his 11th while Babineau's assist was his first assist and point for UC Irvine
- Five made their Anteater debuts in the match including transfers Babineau and Danny de Lorijn while Marcus Lee, Shane Kaemerle, and starter Isaiahs Gutierrez made their collegiate debuts
- Also in the starting XI for the first time in his career was Roman Warren for the senior playing in his 24th career match
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UCI's opening week ends with an 0-1 record as they next come home for two matches next week against No. 14 Vermont on Thursday, August 29, and Mercyhurst on Sunday, September 1.