Anteaters Fall to Cal State Fullerton, 5-2

Wednesday, October 28

Irvine, Calif.

6:00 PM

UC Irvine

5-9-3, 3-6-1

Cal State Fullerton

10-3-5, 7-1-2

Team	1	2	Final F
Cal St. Fullerton	1	4	5
UC Irvine	0	2	2

Sara Paul punts ahead to her attack in a 2026 match vs. Long Beach State

Photo by: Mike Baranski | UC Irvine Athletics

October 28, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

By: Alex Roberts-Croteau

IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer fell Wednesday night in their regular season home finale in Anteater Stadium, 5-2, to crosstown rivals Cal State Fullerton.

Further Review

The first half was eventful even without much scoring as the teams were creating chances early and often and each keeper was tested. In the first half alone, the teams recorded 10 shots with eight of them on target.
The Titans put up shots in the 16th and 17th minutes that Sara Paul wrangled, and UCI responded with shots on goal in the 22nd and 23rd minutes both saved.
One side would earn a corner and the other would earn their own the next minute, and the same proved true in fouls as either side traded actions most of the half.
The match steered off this path in the 42nd minute on a service into the box that was cleared to the edge, and Cal State Fullerton tried to put the ball back toward goal, but a deflection stopped it.
- The Titans would challenge and win as a handball was awarded, and Skye Johnson buried the try for a 1-0 lead late in the stanza.

Free For All

The second half began and the intensity switched up with the officials letting the teams play through lots of contact.
Cal State Fullerton was on the move to add to their lead in the 59th minute
- Cassie Villanueva led the charge up the wing and dished to Camryn Cruz alone near the goalmouth who redirected the pass on frame and in for a 2-0 Titan advantage.
The lead grew to 3-0 in the 65th minute on an interception by CSF's Sail Bozinovic who wove her way toward goal and finished it herself.
UCI got on the scoreboard in the 75th minute as a long throw-in caused chaos in the box before Fiona Shin settled it and found the back of the net through traffic for a 3-1 game.
CSF snatched the momentum right back with a goal in the 83rd minute starting the counter and Caroline Hicks sneaking a shot in from a tough angle for a 4-1 lead
A set piece in the 86th minute by Riley O'Brien perfectly floated on goal and Sara Paul's punch could not keep it out as Cal State Fullerton saw the lead become 5-1.
UCI added another last-gasp strike with Chifumi Sasaki gathering a corner at the top of the box and finding daylight inside the left post to make it a 5-2 match in the 87th minute and wrapping up the scoring.

Cal State Fullerton 5, UC Irvine 2

Both teams recorded double-digit shots on the match for a total of 27 with a remarkable 22 of them directed on goal.
- Sara Paul was busy making multiple spectacular saves counting nine in all. It's a new career high for Paul, and the most by an Anteater goalie since 2018 when Maddie Newsom made nine saves in two different matches.
- UCI made Fullerton keeper Allison Craycroft work as well stopping six UCI shots.
Anteater goalscorers began with Fiona Shin who takes her team-leading totals to six goals and 12 points.
Chifumi Sasaki added her third goal of the season and fourth of her career. Ariane Haysman Boaler picked up an assist on the goal, also her third of the season and fourth of her Anteater career
The Anteaters played in front of their second-largest crowd of the season and largest Anteater Stadium attendance with 1,318 faithful packing the house.

The loss dashes UC Irvine's postseason hopes, but they remain alive heading into the regular season finale Saturday, October 31, at UC San Diego. UC Irvine's path to the postseason is 1.) a win Saturday at UC San Diego, 2.) a Long Beach State loss to Cal State Bakersfield, 3.) a UC Santa Barbara loss at UC Riverside, and 4.) a Cal Poly loss or draw vs. Sacramento State. All matches will kick off this Saturday at 1:00 p.m.