Anteaters Ambush Tigers for 3-0 Win

Sunday, August 30

Stockton, Calif.

7:00 PM

UC Irvine

2-0-1, 0-0-0

Pacific

1-2-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
UC Irvine	1	2	3
Pacific	0	0	0

Gage Lyons runs up the Anteater Stadium sideline in a 2026 match vs. Oregon State

Photo by: Matt Brown

Anteaters Ambush Tigers for 3-0 Win

August 30, 2026 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Alex Roberts-Croteau

STOCKTON, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer put up a third straight three-goal game taking a road win at Knoles Field against Pacific, 3-0, Sunday night.

Offense Engage

UCI was on it from the jump putting up the match's first shot in the fifth minute
They followed that up with a goal in the ninth minute
- Brady Treinen shot up the left wing and snapped a cross off from the touchline finding Gage Lyons near the far post to head it down and in for a 1-0 lead
UCI was back looking for more in the 13th minute as Marcus Lee cutback and slipped a shot on goal that was denied, and Zac Smuck eventually received a rebound and also fired on goal and saved.
Marcus Lee added another shot off the crossbar in the 18th minute
Scott Williams playing in his first match as an Anteater was put to the test once in the 22nd minute as a set piece found a Pacific Tiger near the far post and Williams needed an outstretched arm to collect his first UCI save

Teaming Up

The final 45 minutes began with soft shots from each side that keepers were able to handle
UC Irvine got a big chance to add to their lead in the 53rd minute
- UCI drove into the box and was fouled drawing a penalty. Pacific challenged the call, but the officials saw it as originally called
- Gage Lyons stepped up, but his penalty chance was saved as was Zac Smuck's rebound chance keeping the match at 1-0, UCI
Both sides continued to search for that second goal with dangerous attacks but not able to finish
In the 71st minute, UCI found some daylight
- A goal kick was mishandled by the Tigers setting UCI Isaac Powell with a shot that was turned away. The rebound went back to the 'Eaters who would cycle the ball around the box before Powell laid off a superb pass to an open and crashing Marcus Lee to slotted a shot inside the far post from the left wing to push the lead to 2-0
UCI's defense saw the final quarter of an hour tick down with no more shots for either side until the 88th minute
- A penalty was awarded to UCI and confirmed after a video review with freshman Javier Bedolla Vera on the spot and converting for the 3-0 score.

UC Irvine 3, Pacific 0

UCI begins the season with three goals in each of their three games, the second three-game stretch of coach Raz's tenure joining the 2018 squad
Gage Lyons got the scoring going with a goal in three straight matches now and responsible for both UCI game-winners this season
Marcus Lee added a goal, his first of the season, giving him a point in each game to start the year
Javier Bedolla Vera opened his Anteater account with his first goal and point in his second career match
Assists went to Zac Smuck and Brady Treinen, each with an assist in consecutive matches, and Isaac Powell, now with three points this year to go with his goal from the season opener
In his first career match as an Anteater, Scott Williams earned a win and a shutout while collecting two saves
- Williams in his sixth collegiate season and second where he has played a match made his 13th career start tonight coming away with his fourth career win and sixth career shutout
In addition to William's UCI debut was Ferran Duran, whose visa just went into effect this week, got on for 29 minutes off the bench for his collegiate and Anteater debut

UC Irvine returns home for the next three matches starting Saturday, September 5 with a 6:00 p.m. kickoff vs. Missouri State.

Gage!! 3rd straight game with a goal on a perfect Brady cross puts the 'Eaters up 1-0 in the 9th minute #TogetherWeZot pic.twitter.com/bsXTVOoWW8
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) August 31, 2026

The first save of Scott Williams' Anteater career is a doozy!!! ?? #RipEm pic.twitter.com/LJNA1Uc00W
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) August 31, 2026

The boys pounce on a turnover and create the second goal off of Marcus' (71') foot!!

UC Irvine 2-0 Pacific #TWZ pic.twitter.com/YzCShZxa28
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) August 31, 2026

Goal #1 in the career of Javier Bedolla Vera (88') slipping home the PK!!

UC Irvine 3-0 Pacific #TWZ pic.twitter.com/AzKnyGSrg7
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) August 31, 2026