• Sunday's match played out in a similar fashion to the regular season contest where the sides matched each other in pace and intensity.
• Both teams were able to consistently cut off each other's attacks before any serious threats
• The first two shots of the match were on goal but easily managed. The 'Eaters had their own defender knock a ball back their own goal that needed a save from Savanna Arruda. The 'Eaters put a long-range shot on frame that took a few hops before UCSB's keeper made the grab
• A couple of harmless shots wide came up throughout the rest of the period that remained scoreless
• Neither side committed a foul until the 25th minute even in a fast-paced and physical start to the match
• The biggest threat in the half came in the final minute
  • A foul on the touchline just outside the box gave UC Santa Barbara a set piece with 16 seconds to go. The service was jumbled around the six-yard box before a Gaucho shot that was turned away by Suus de Bakker giving UCSB a corner. The ensuing corner was dealt with and the half ran out still at 0-0

• The second half brought with it more energy of a postseason match. Suus de Bakker put a long-range shot up that was saved in the 51st minute
• UC Santa Barbara broke through with the scoring in the next minute
  • A feed out to the wing found Emily Caughey who drove on goal. Three different times she was met by Anteater players and somehow retained possession on some fortuitous bounces all the way into the 18-yard box before finishing by the diving Arruda and inside the right post to go up, 1-0
• Plays like that continued to favor the Gauchos who got the right bounces throughout the second half to slow UCI's attack and preserve their advantage
• The Anteaters did get one helpful bounce on a play in the 65th minute
  • Emma Corcoran squared up from 30 yards out and tried to put one in over Arruda. The UCI keeper leapt and tipped the ball off the crossbar and back to her feet for the save and keeping it a one-goal game
• The 'Eaters found their footing down the stretch run keeping possession as they did for 70% of the match
• UCI had the final seven shots of the match through the final 20 minutes of regulation
  • Fiona Shin and Ivy Williams each had a pair while Kelsey Swyney had the best look tracking across the box and firing for her shot to be deflected out for a corner kick
• The Anteaters could not find the answer and the seconds ticked away toward the final whistle

• The season ends with UC Irvine posting an 8-5-7 overall record.
  • The Anteaters end up 4-3-3 in home matches this season
  • It's the second straight season UCI's season ends in the Big West Championship opening round in Anteater Stadium
  • The Anteaters continue their run of five consecutive Big West Championship appearances and 17 overall
• Savanna Arruda made three saves in net with a fourth coming from her backline
• The Anteaters dominated possession throughout with over 68% in each half and finished with more shots, 12-7, and corner kicks, 5-1
• Fifth-year Anteaters Suus de Bakker and Mihaela Perez each end their careers in their 79th match on Sunday

Savanna going all the way up!! #STRONGwomen pic.twitter.com/qYqFO7XJCI

— UCI Women's Soccer (@UCIwsoc) November 3, 2025

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