IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer picked up a big win Thursday night in Anteater Stadium topping Big West-leading UC Santa Barbara, 2-0.
Clocking In
- A spirited first half of soccer was played in front of 1,241 fans for Hispanic Heritage Night
- Each side looked to control the flow with UCSB started with it and UC Irvine evening things out through the first 20 minutes
- Both sides connected on corner kicks with headers on target falling into the hands of the keeper early
- UCI picked up a number of corners as the half continued with nothing to show
- Trinity Morales had a shot from distance swatted away on a dive in the 27th minute
- Finally with the seconds ticking down, a goal came from the heavens
- Mihaela Perez ran onto a free kick from beyond the half line putting it into the box as it glanced off a UC Santa Barbara defender and settled inside the right post for a goal with two seconds remaining in the half
Turning On The Jets
- The second half began with a renewed energy as UCI was on the front foot and capitalized from it
- UCI earned a corner kick in the 50th minute and sent it toward goal
- A lengthy sequence saw the ball bounce around before it popped out to Suus de Bakker who shoved it back inside the far post and in for the 2-0 lead
- The 'Eaters continued to dictate the match finishing with 61% of the match's possession
- UCI continue to try for more goals with shots from de Bakker in the 71st minute, Kori Pickelle in the 80th, and Fiona Shin in the 83rd minute all threats
- UC Santa Barbara made a big push down the stretch with their best chance of the match in the 85th minute
- Emma Corcoran let one fly from 30 yards out hooking toward the left post as Laurynn Ziller met it with a leaping dive to snatch it for the save
UC Irvine 2, UC Santa Barbara 0
- The win gives the Anteaters a big boost in the conference standings hurdling the Gauchos who previously were in first place.
- The 'Eaters are on 13 points (4-1-1) alongside Cal Poly for the moment as the two will meet Sunday in Anteater Stadium
- The 'Eaters also climb to 7-3-5 on the season and are unbeaten in their last four matches (3-0-1)
- Perez's goal is the second of her career and the first game-winner for the fifth-year Anteater, and gives her four points on the season
- de Bakker insurance goal gives her five on the season, tied for the team high, and 10 points
- Ziller in net picked up three saves while registering her sixth shutout and the eighth for the team
- The Anteaters led all over the stat sheet in shots (8-5), shots on goal (4-3), and corners (8-3) while also committing fewer fouls (11-10) and were not cautioned
- One collegiate debut took place as well as third-year Anteater Kelsey Swyney checked in in the first half for her first collegiate minutes. She made an appearance in the second half as well totaling 20 minutes in her debut
Next up for the Anteaters is another home match, Sunday, October 19, with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against Cal Poly with the programs level on points with 13 each
