IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer pulled out the win Sunday on Senior Day topping CSUN, 2-1, in Anteater Stadium
- The big play came in the 86th minute with a handball reviewed and awarded to CSUN putting them at the penalty spot. In a 2-1 game, keeper Ashley Naylor stepped up and made the save to keep the lead
- The match went back and forth in the first half starting with UCI taking the early lead
- Mihaela Perez bombed a long lead pass up to Laila El Behery who beat her defender and snuck a shot inside the far post for a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute
- The Matadors responded in the 12th minute Kayden Perigo got loose and beat Naylor off her line to finish into an empty net and make it, 1-1
- In the 30th minute, the 'Eaters snagged the lead back setting up for a free kick. Desiree Mendoza hit a pinpoint set piece into the upper left corner from 40 yards for a majesterial 2-1 lead
- The match was officiated closely with 28 fouls issued overall and four cards
- CSUN got hit with a second caution and red card to Perigo in the 62nd minute putting them down a player for the final third of the match
- Mendoza gets credit for her seventh career game-winning goal as she continues to climb up the Anteater top ten
- El Behery put home her 11th career goal like Mendoza and now with 25 total points
- Naylor made just one huge save on the afternoon to collect her third win of the season
- Mendoza, El Behery, and Naylor were among the 13 Anteater seniors recognized in a postmatch ceremony along with Chloe Ragon, Alyssa Wheeler, Aveka Singh, Aislynn Crowder, Mihaela Perez, Lawson Willis, Kiera Smeenge, Autumn Thompkins, Kaitlyn Paculba, and Suus de Bakker
- Amidst all the excitement, one Anteater, Kamryn Taylor, made her collegiate debut in the match coming on as a reserve to play 18 minutes
The 'Eaters now have four Big West points in two matches and overall improve to 3-4-3. Next up is a week on the road to Cal Poly, Thursday, October 3, and Sunday, October 6 at UC Santa Barbara.
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