IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer picked up a second win to start the season defeating Cal State LA, 4-0, Thursday night in Anteater Stadium
Engage And Attack
- A fast-paced start to the match had both offenses bearing down on goal, but not a lot of great chances until the 18th minute
- The 'Eaters fought their way into the box from the left wing as Isaac Powell put a shot on target that was saved by CSLA's keeper, but the rebound found Gage Lyons who deposited it by the keeper for the 1-0 lead
- The Golden Eagles made the push following that with a pair of shots and corner kicks
- Zac Smuck had a golden chance behind the defense, but the keeper came off his line to deny the shot
- UCI got a break with the half approaching as Misael Gonzalez Lopez drew the foul in the box to earn a penalty. Agaton Pourshahidi stepped up and converted to double the lead, 2-0, in the 41st minute
Brace For Impact
- Second half was more of the same with the attacks pushing. 'Eaters had three of the first four shots and a pair of corners
- UCI added to its two-goal lead on a two brilliant efforts by Misael Gonzalez Lopez
- On a feed from Gustavo Gonzalez on the left wing, Gonzalez Lopez beat his defender and fired in from 10 yards out for a 3-0 lead in the 60th minute
- Five minutes later, Gonzalez Lopez was on the attack again this time hitting from outside the box finding a path across goal and inside the far post for a brace and a 4-0 lead in the 65th minute
UC Irvine 4, Cal State LA 0
- The win evens the all-time series with Cal State LA at 3-3. All six matches have been won by the home team, and Thursday's was the first matchup since 1989
- Lyons' goal turned out to be the game-winner. It was his first goal and point as an Anteater, and third game-winner of his college career
- Pourshahidi registered a goal and an assist in the same match for the first time in his career. It's his fourth career match with three or more points, and he grows his career goal total to 12
- Gonzalez Lopez's goals are his sixth and seventh of his Anteater career as he picks up his first career brace
- Additional assists came from Isaac Powell, the fourth of his career, Isaiahs Gutierrez, his third, and Gustavo Gonzalez, the first career assist and point for the freshman
- More firsts came for Abraham Brown and Shane Kaemerle making their first career starts. Braden Ferreira made his first career start as a field player after making one start as a goalkeeper in 2024
- Elijah Jugé entered the match in the second half to make his collegiate debut for the final 17 minutes
- In net, Joe O'Shaughnessy made the start earning the win while not recording a save in the first 45 minutes. Alex Shields played the entire second half stopping two shots to preserve the combined shutout
The week continues for the 'Eaters with another home matchup Sunday, August 31, against Atlantic Sun Conference preseason favorites North Florida coming off a loss Thursday at UC Santa Barbara with the match kicking off at 4:00 p.m.
Postgame Thoughts
Gage Lyons -
"As a team, I think we were together. Obviously coming off UCLA, we needed to regain our focus, but I think on the night, 4-0 win, can't really complain about that. I think there was a couple things that we were sloppy on, but we're determined to clean it up for Sunday."
"It was my first start so I was a little excited and nervous. It felt really good putting one in the back of the net for the first time. Just to score in this jersey in a real game, it felt good."
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