Smuck, Defense Lock Down 2-0 Win

Thursday, September 17

Riverside, Calif.

7:30 PM

UC Irvine

3-3-1, 0-0-0

UC Riverside

3-2-2, 0-0-0

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

James Arteaga is on the move in a 2026 match at UC Riverside

Photo by: Elena Versage | UC Riverside Athletics

Smuck, Defense Lock Down 2-0 Win

September 17, 2026 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Alex Roberts-Croteau

RIVERSIDE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer put in a formidable effort to half a winless streak stomping out UC Riverside, 2-0, at UCR Soccer Stadium Thursday night.

Mix and Match

The former Big West rivals kicked of their first non-conference matchup as Big West and Pac-12 foes Thursday night.
The Anteaters had their way through most of the first half not allowing a single shot to the Highlanders and providing four of their own
- The very first shot was the only one that was on target as Shane Kaemerle was denied in the sixth minute and the sides went into the half scoreless

Putting On A Smuckdown

The 'Eaters carried their momentum with them into the second half allowing a single shot that UCR put up in the 55th minute with a save by Scott Williams in net
Before that, UCI found the scoreboard on a peculiar sequence in the 53rd minute
- Shane Kaemerle was there to half-volley scissor-kick a shot on frame that was stopped and picked up by UCR's keeper.
- After he played it with his feet, he picked the ball back up as a UCI attacker approached resulting in an indirect free kick
- James Arteaga and Zac Smuck lined up from seven yards away and after Arteaga's touch, Smuck curled a pinpoint attempte over the Highlander defense settling it into the upper right for a 1-0 lead
The Anteaters had more quality chances including Smuck denied point-blank in the 64th minute, and an Isaac Powell rocket just tipped aside in the 74th minute, but between those chance they were able to grow their lead
- In the 70th minute, UCI won a ball along the left wing and charged ahead with Arteaga slipping one through to Smuck who was all alone with the UCR netminder and slotted on by him for a 2-0 lead in the 70th minute

UC Irvine 2, UC Riverside 0

The UC Irvine defensive third stole the show on the night allowing one total shot and one on goal for a Williams save who picked up his second win and shutout as an Anteater
- Notably, the Anteaters finished with advantages in shots, 11-1, and corner kicks earned, 9-1
- UCI also doubled the hosts in fouls, 15-7, with all three cautions issued
Thursday's goal scorer Zac Smuck recorded his first career brace and first two goals of his season now up to six points
- For Smuck, he's up to five career goals and two game-winning goals
Arteaga assisted on each goal however registered just one on the stat sheet which goes down as the first career assist and point for the freshman

UC Irvine returns to the win column now back even on the season at 3-3-1 and improves to 2-0 in road matches. The 'Eaters are back on the road for their next match coming up Sunday, September 20, with a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at UC San Diego

INDIRECT FREE KICK MASTERY ??

Zac (53') and James with some artistry to take the lead!!

UC Irvine 1-0 UC Riverside #TWZ pic.twitter.com/VwOCZzsiak
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) September 18, 2026

ZAC ATTACK ??

Smuck (70') again from Arteaga finds the back of the net

UC Irvine 2-0 UC Riverside #TWZ pic.twitter.com/X9FXPg7Tzb
— UCI Men's Soccer (@UCImsoc) September 18, 2026