RIVERSIDE - The 'Eaters offense exploded in the third quarter, scoring nine goals, to seal the 17-10 victory over Concordia in their opening game of The Lancer Joust in Riverside. 

The Golden Eagles kept the game close in the first half, trailing by just one heading into the third quarter. Eight different Anteaters combined for nine goals in the third frame, widening their lead 13-6 heading into the final quarter of action. UCI and Concordia each netted four in the final frame to secure the 'Eaters win.

BY THE NUMBERS: Junior Johann Thrall led the charge, finding the back of the net five times for the Anteaters. Junior Wyley Dale added two goals. 

Nine different 'Eaters each added one goal, while Redshirt Sophomore Nolan Cary recorded 11 saves. 
 
Kai Young led the Golden Eagles with three goals. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: The 'Eaters (7-5) took a 2-0 lead at the 2:45 mark with goals from Alex Lopez and Samuel Otta. The Golden Eagles responded with a tally of their own before Johann Thrall netted a penalty shot to increase the 'Eater lead, 3-1, at the 1:57 mark. Concordia responded with a quick goal to cut the Anteater lead to just one, 3-2, at the horn. 
 
The Golden Eagles (7-6) opened up the second frame with a power play goal to tie it up at 3 at the 6:19 mark. Jack Stevens netted one for the Anteaters to take a 4-3 lead at the half.
 
Cole Francisco opened up the scoring in the third frame before Concordia responded with a goal of their own to make it 5-4 at the 7:05 mark. UC Irvine scored six unanswered goals from five different 'Eaters, with Thrall netting two, to take an 11-4 lead at the 2:53 mark. The Golden Eagles briefly halted the rally, with one goal finding the back of the net, before Jayson Hubbard and Dylan Rosmann joined in on the scoring, increasing the lead, 13-5, at the 1:37 mark. Concordia netted a late goal to end the third with the Anteaters up 13-6. 
 
The 'Eaters and the Golden Eagles traded goals throughout the fourth quarter, with Concordia striking first before Wyley Dale netted his second goal of the game. As UCI and Concordia went goal for goal, Thrall found the back of the net for his fourth and fifth tallies of the match to keep the 'Eaters ahead 16-9 at the 4:03 mark. The Golden Eagles added one more before Samuel Bowman scored the final goal of the match and sealed the 17-10 victory. 
  
UP NEXT: The 'Eaters are back in action this evening against the tournament host, California Baptist, at 5:30 p.m.