UC Irvine Plays at Washington State, Hosts Grand Canyon

Thursday, August 27

Pullman, Wash.

6:00 PM

UC Irvine

Washington State

Lianna Tsabur takes on two Stanford defenders in a 2026 road match

Photo by: John Clingan | UCI Athletics

UC Irvine Plays at Washington State, Hosts Grand Canyon

August 25, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Watch & Follow

By: Alex Roberts-Croteau

THIS WEEK IN ANTEATER SOCCER

UC Irvine Anteaters (0-1-1) at Washington State Cougars (2-2)
Lower Soccer Field - Pullman, Wash.
Thursday - 6:00 PM | Pac-12 YouTube | Live Stats

UC Irvine Anteaters (0-1-1) vs. Grand Canyon Lopes (2-1)
Anteater Stadium - Irvine, Calif.
Sunday - 1:00 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats

Promotional Schedule

Storylines

+ The Anteaters went through its toughest challenge last week traveling to No. 1 Stanford. It was the third matchup with the nation's No. 1 in program history

+ Newcomers have made early impacts started off by nine newcomers that saw the pitch in the opener vs. Utah Tech. Transfers Mimi Dominguez and Mimi Yamamoto along with freshmen Allison Rabe and Samara Maldonado have each started the two matches to this point.

+ Eleven collegiate debuts have been made thus far including second-year defender Malaina Duro in the starting XI vs. Utah Tech and contributing each match. Mia Rodriguez, another second-year, did so off the bench Sunday at Stanford

+ Four freshman made collegiate debuts in Sunday's match at No. 1 Stanford joining Rodriguez - Lianna Tsabur, Isabella Meric, Elizabeth Hayes, and Cam LawsonKitchen. They join the debutantes from the season opener in Olivia Stark, Taylor Esparza, and registering his first start at Stanford, Keira Baranski.

+ Oona Hartman made her UCI debut vs. Utah Tech, and her 80 combined minutes are the most from any player strictly entering as a substitute

+ Assistant coach Wendy Espejel sets out with the under-20 Mexico women's national team as a coach for the under-20 World Cup soon. They play on the tournament's first day on September 5 and running through the final on September 27

Last Week Recap

No. 1-ranked Stanford kept their unbeaten run going with 6-0 win over UCI. The 'Eaters are now 0-5-1 against the Cardinal all-time. Savanna Arruda made five saves in the match as UCI faced 24 shots

Thursday at the Cougars

+ Washington State is coming off a 7-7-5 season which included a draw with #13 Georgia. They are 1-2-1 to this point with a three-goal win over South Florida and two three-goal losses

+ All-time, WSU holds the 4-2-1 edge, but UCI has results in the last two winning 2-0 last season and drawing, 1-1, in their last trip to Pullman in 2024

+ The Cougars have four goals from four different players including minutes-leader Makena Smith, and two assists by Emma Widmor

Sunday vs. the Lopes

+ Grand Canyon had an 8-8-2 year in 2025 including wins over CSUN and Oregon. They're off to a 2-1 start all at home with a win over Arizona, loss to Texas, and a Thursday match with CSUN.

+ All-time, the sides meet for the second time and first time in Irvine. They opened 2025 at GCU with UCI pulling away behind Fiona Shin's game-winner to turn a 1-1 halftime line into a 4-1 victory

+ The Lopes have gotten a goal and two assists from Amanda Adams and goals from their other top shooters - Ellie Johannes, Sophia Rubano, and Sabrina Guzman - including 14 shots aside in their Sunday matchup with Texas.