'Eaters Take On No. 1 Stanford Sunday

THIS WEEK IN ANTEATER SOCCER

UC Irvine Anteaters (0-0-1) at #1 Stanford Cardinal (2-0)
Maloney Field at Laird Q. Cagan Stadium
Sunday - 1:00 PM | ACCNX | Live Stats

Promotional Schedule

Storylines

+ UCI opened its 42nd season with a draw. The Anteaters keep their unbeaten streak now 4-0-1 in their last four season openers. UC Irvine stays even all-time in season openers at 19-19-4.

+ Newcomers made an impact in the opener led by the three transfers. Mimi Dominguez and Mimi Yamamoto were two starters in the opener. Dominguez had one of the best chances on target that was saved and Yamamoto was 1 of 4 'Eaters that played a full 90. Oona Hartman made an impact with 37 minutes off the bench.

+ Six collegiate debuts were made vs. Utah Tech starting with Malaina Duro in the starting XI as a sophomore following an injury-riddled freshman year.

+ The other five debuts were from freshmen spearheaded by a pair of starters Allison Rabe and Samara Maldonado each playing full 90 minutes. Each also put up offensive chances from the back line.

+ Three other freshmen made impacts off the bench with Keira Baranski, Taylor Esparza, and the shots leader Olivia Stark who nailed a long-ranger off the crossbar late in the first half

+ Defender and captain Hailey Clingan was a massive part of the match on both ends. Her free kick delivery set up the own goal equalizer in the 76th minute. She was also present on the goalline as one of the pair of team saves keeping it a one-goal match at the time.

What's Happened Recently

+ The season opener opened in a rough way conceding in just over a minute. The 'Eaters stayed in the fight, nearly equalizing multiple times, and finally getting an own goal in the 76th minute to finish in a 1-1 draw vs. Utah Tech

+ UCI sandwiched two exhibitions around their season opener starting with Big XII side Arizona that resulted in a 0-0 draw.

+ Saturday, UCI hosted fellow University Drive-resident Concordia to the tune of a 5-1 victory. Fiona Shin had a first-half brace, and after conceding early in the second half, ripped off goals by Sophia Speziale, Lianna Tsabur, and Kelsey Swyney to complete the win

Sunday at the Cardinal

+ Stanford finished 2025 on the losing end in the national championship going 21-2-2 overall. It will be the third all-time matchups vs. the nation's No. 1 joining losses to UCLA in 2014 and 2023

+ All-time, this is the sixth matchup in the series. UCI drew back in 1988. Three matchups came against ranked Stanford including twice at No. 2

+ The Cardinal started with a win at Cal Poly and vs. #14 Georgetown before UCI comes to town. Key returners are ACC Goalkeeper of the Year Caroline Birkel and All-American Charlotte Kohler

+ The 2024 matchup a not-too-distant memory, and two 'Eaters return in starter from that game Clara Samson playing 58 minutes, and Hailey Clingan with 12 minutes off the bench.

Schedule