IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer had lots to cheer about with a 2-0 victory Sunday afternoon in Anteater Stadium over Washington State.

Making A Mark

• Sunday was a celebration for both sides as the 'Eaters recognized their nine seniors following the match - Gabby Nelms, Trinity Morales, Ella Colombini, Mia Colombini, Mirayah Villalpando, Savanna Arruda, Laurynn Ziller, Gracie Haley, and Jenika Davis
• The Anteaters and Cougars were in for a battle with 17 fouls between them in the first half and four cautions
• The shots were flying as well with Ariane Haysman Boaler starting things with a chance on goal swatted away by the WSU keeper in the fourth minute
• The Cougars went on the attack with five shots in the first 15 minutes
• The best chance of the half came in the 36th minute with Washington State bearing down on goal with a shot that needed saving by the Anteater backline and the return shot snagged by Laurynn Ziller 
• Clara Samson got the final say in the half that was turned away at the other end of the pitch in the 36th minute as well in a scoreless first 45

Wasting No Time

• As the second half whistle blew, the 'Eaters were on the attack shooting up the right wing to find Clara Samson who finished just 15 seconds into the half for a 1-0 lead
• The Anteaters continued to look for more with a barrage in the 52nd minute including a Haysman Boaler shot saved
• Fiona Shin was fed right into the box looking for a goal in the 69th minute, but a brilliant save up high kept the match at 1-0
• UCI continued to pepper the net with the Cougars adding chances. The 'Eaters flipped possession that was 59% to the visitors in the first half and finished in favor of UCI at the final whistle, 56%
• The persistence paid off in the 82nd minute with a similar run to their first goal ending in an Ella Colombini cross perfectly placed to super senior Suus de Bakker for a 2-0 advantage
• The cautions continued to flow with 40 fouls in all and nine cautions including a second yellow to Washington State's Ava Ghoreishi less than a minute later

UC Irvine 2, Washington State 0

• The Anteaters pick up their second all-time win against Washington State, first since the 1990s, and are unbeaten in their last two matches
• UCI concludes non-conference play with a record of 3-2-4
• Samson's goal is the second of her career, both game-winners, and first this year
• de Bakker knocked home her second of the season, her sixth in her career to lead all active 'Eaters
• Ella Colombini and Mihaela Perez both earned assists on both goals giving Colombini four this year, five in her career, and Perez adds her first two points of 2025 giving her 10 in her career, eight coming from assists
• Laurynn Ziller in net earned another shutout, her third of the season and the team's fourth while stopping four shots
• One milestone was hit on the day by senior Mirayah Villalpando. She made the start for the 13th time in her career and in doing so registered her 50th career match as an Anteater making her the 105th Anteater for 50+ matches all-time
• On the stat sheet, UCI walked away with the advantage in shots (20-15) and corner kicks (5-3) while registering the only three offside calls of the match

UCI returns for the finale of four straight home matches as they begin Big West play on Sunday, September 21 at 1:00 p.m. vs. UC Riverside


 

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