Anteaters Entertain Lancers in Welcome Back Match

THIS WEEK IN ANTEATER SOCCER

UC Irvine Anteaters (4-3-1) vs. California Baptist Lancers (5-2)
Anteater Stadium - Irvine, Calif.
Thursday - 6:00 PM | ESPN+ | Live Stats

Promotional Schedule

Storylines

+ Braces were all the rage last week with two-goal games from Zac Smuck vs. UC Riverside coming 17 minutes apart, and Ferran Duran doing so at UC San Diego coming 37 minutes apart

+ Scott Williams improved to 3-1 in his four starts this season. His .500 goals-against-average is best in the Big West and eight nationally. His three wins have all come via shutout totaling eight saves. He's up to five wins, six shutouts, and 53 saves in his collegiate career.

+ One shot was all the Anteaters allowed in their 2-0 win at UC Riverside and one shot on target. It's UCI's lowest total since at least 2012 allowing as little as three in a match on multiple occasions.

+ Multiple Anteaters reached 60 career matches with Gage Lyons doing so Thursday at UC Riverside. He joins Brady Treinen, up to 68, and Isaac Powell at 66 as 'Eaters to 60+ collegiate matches.

+ UC Irvine has seen 11 Anteater debuts and eight making collegiate debuts with the most recent vs. UNLV in Max Parore. That has included two goals, two assists, and three shutout wins from keeper Scott Williams who is in his sixth collegiate season

+ Other 'Eater stats worth noting are UCI's 7.25 corner kicks per match, tops in the Big West and 12th in the nation including 13 vs. UNLV. UCI is also first in the Big West in goals, assists, and points

+ Javier Bedolla Vera earned UCI's one Big West award prior to this week named Big West Rookie of the Week following his goal at Pacific

Weekly Honors

+ Scott Williams snagged Big West Defensive Player of the Week honors. He earned his second and third shutout wins over UCR and UCSD saving three shots between the matches. He now has three career weekly honors joining two he won last year in the America East conference

+ James Arteaga joined Williams with Big West Rookie of the Week honors. He earned two assists vs. UC Riverside, his first career assists and points. He and Bedolla Vera now each have Big West top rookie honors so far in 2026

Last Week

+ The Anteaters reversed its previous week winning a pair of matches in shutout fashion. Thursday at UC Riverside, the 'Eaters got two second half goals while allowing one total shot all match for a 2-0 win. Sunday at UC San Diego, the 'Eaters scored in each stanza to win, 2-0

Thursday vs. the Lancers

+ California Baptist enters the week with a 5-2 record with two losses coming to Duke receiving votes and ranked San Diego. Like UCI, they've also beaten LMU (1-0) and Pacific (2-0).

+ All-time the teams meet for the second time after the first meeting a year ago resulted in a 2-0 CBU win on their home field

+ The Lancers start with Blake D'Agostino and his four goals, and he had one vs. UCI last year. Defense is their strength with Norwegian freshman Ulrik Stroem 4-1 in net with 11 saves

Schedule