'Eaters Command Game in 2-0 Loss to UNLV

Sunday, September 13

Irvine, Calif.

6:00 PM

UC Irvine

2-3-1, 0-0-0

UNLV

4-2-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
UNLV	0	2	2
UC Irvine	0	0	0

Isaac Powell dangles in front of a UNLV player in a 2026 match in Anteater Stadium

Photo by: Jacob Thompson

'Eaters Command Game in 2-0 Loss to UNLV

September 13, 2026 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Alex Roberts-Croteau

IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer captivated Anteater Stadium Sunday night against UNLV, but it was the visitors that came away with the 2-0 victory.

Time Traveling

The first 45 minutes put in a little extra time with things moving pretty quickly through the first quarter-hour
The 18th minute is when things got tricky and brought the match to a halt
- UCI was on the attack the first half of the 18th minute with a cross whipped in onto Gage Lyons who headed home a goal
  - The play was ruled off side by the linesman, and UCI challenged the call
  - After video review, the play stood as called and the match remained a 0-0 draw
- The ensuing restart saw UNLV punt the ball the length of the field and score a goal of their own thanks to a deflection that perfectly floated over keeper Joe O'Shaughnessy
  - UC Irvine again challenged the play and got that call reversed because of a foul in the buildup and the score reverted to 0-0
- Two goals, both disallowed, and a pair of video challenge reviews all within the 18th minute
Another video challenge happened in the 24th minute around a suspected foul in the midfield that resulted in a caution to UCI's Gustavo Gonzalez
Through 20 minutes. UNLV had the match's only two shots and were even on corners, 1-1
UCI turned up the attack and registered the final eight shots in the first half along with five more corners including two shots on target, but the scoreless remained empty into the halftime whistle

Making The Most

The second half began with another Anteater shot and corner, but no real threats either way
Suddenly, the game turned on an unfortunate pass back from Gustavo Gonzalez for nobody and UNLV's Maxim Scordo pounced and scored past the oncoming O'Shaughnessy for a 1-0 lead to UNLV
UCI continued to pressure now looking for an equalizing goal
- Zac Smuck put a shot on goal minutes after the tally
- He fired another into a crowd that was blocked in the 72nd minute
- Isaac Powell got a good chance from range that found the keeper's mitts
- UCI's attack resulted in seven corner kick opportunities in the second half totaling 13 in all for the match
The 'Eaters were unable to find a goal, meanwhile the Rebels countered in the 83rd minute and on their fourth and final shot, Nick Legendre was alone in the middle of the 18-yard-box and slotted a shot by O'Shaughnessy to a 2-0 advantage

UNLV 2, UC Irvine 0

The Anteaters had over 60% possession in the match and finished with advantages in shots, 15-4, and corner kicks, 13-3, and fired four shots on goal all saved by UNLV's Hugo Lemos
Notables in the match were Cristian Gallo who returned from injury and played 57 minutes in the back. Max Parore finished out the match for the final seven minutes to make his collegiate debut.

UCI's extensive home start to the season moves to the road for its next two matches coming Thursday, September 17 at UC Riverside and followed at UC San Diego on Sunday, September 20