Early Start Kicks Off Conference Play at Sac State, vs. CSUB

Wednesday, September 23

Sacramento, Calif.

10:00 AM

UC Irvine

Sacramento State

Head Coach Scott Juniper gives a grin with the team ahead of their 2026 match vs. Grand Canyon

Photo by: Matt Brown

Early Start Kicks Off Conference Play at Sac State, vs. CSUB

September 22, 2026 | Women's Soccer

Watch & Follow

By: Alex Roberts-Croteau

THIS WEEK IN ANTEATER SOCCER

UC Irvine Anteaters (2-3-2) at Sacramento State Hornets (4-2-2)
Hornet Field - Sacramento, Calif.
Wednesday - 10:00 AM | ESPN+ | Live Stats

UC Irvine Anteaters (2-3-2) vs. Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners (1-7-1)
Anteater Stadium - Irvine, Calif.
Saturday - 6:00 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats

Promotional Schedule

Storylines
+ Non-conference journey ended with UCI sporting a 2-3-2 record recording wins and losses and home and on the road. 'Eaters played the No. 1 team in the nation, went 1-1 against Pac-12 competition, and a pair of draws against teams with records at .500 or better
+ Sara Paul saw her name called Thursday on Senior Day. The first-year Anteater is in her fifth collegiate season and third in Division I, and got her first minutes on the DI level at halftime. She did not need to record a save, but earned the victory after a 1-1 halftime line turned to 4-1.
+ Oona Hartman got her first career goal on a brilliant strike in the 49th minute vs. Fresno State, the game-winning goal, and added her second on a header in the 69th minute for a brace for the third-year transfer from Arizona State
+ UCI scoring included Fiona Shin with a goal and an assist Thursday as she sits atop the team in points with five now even with Hartman. Other firsts included the first-ever points for Mimi Yamamoto and Jasmyne Wheeler each contributing assists Thursday night
+ Thirteen 'Eaters have made collegiate debuts in 2026 with a pair of second-year freshmen, Malaina Duro and Mia Rodriguez, in addition to 10 true freshmen - Lianna Tsabur, Isabella Meric, Elizabeth Hayes, Cam LawsonKitchen, Samara Maldonado, Allison Rabe, Taylor Esparza, Iriana, Griffin, Keira Baranski, Olivia Stark, and now Sara Paul.

Last Week Recap
+ Senior Day came to Anteater Stadium in the non-conference finale. After a 1-1 first half, fifth-year Sara Paul came in to goal and scored her first-ever minutes and win as UCI topped Fresno State, 4-1, on three second-half goals led by the first two career goals by Oona Hartman

Wednesday at the Hornets
+ Sacramento State was off to one the program's best starts ever going 4-0-2 before losing their last two to Saint Mary's and SJSU. Results include a win vs. Southern Utah and draw at Fresno State
+ All-time, the 'Eaters have won all three meetings including their first at Sac State last season, 4-0. This time, it will be a 10 a.m. kickoff
+ The Hornets have gone through struggles since missing Delaney Timmons in goal (3-0-1, 3 GA, 10 Sv). The offense is fueled by junior Candace Ching and her five goals, one assist, and 14 shots

Saturday vs. the Roadrunners
+ Cal State Bakersfield went 1-7-1 through non-conference with all four goals scored coming in their win vs. TXAMCC and draw at Fresno State
+ All-time, UCI holds the 4-2-1 edge including a win last year, but is winless in home meetings going 0-2-1 against the 'Runners
+ The Roadrunners are led by sophomore Jaiden Gore as the top shooter with 20 and has a goal. Sophomore keeper Addyson Evans has spent the most time in net with 56 saves and has an assist.