Junior defender Nick Whittaker (foreground) scored his first collegiate goal off an assist by senior defender Andy Hashimoto (background). |
IRVINE, Calif. -- UC Irvine scored two of its three goals in the first half as the Anteaters held off a late charge by the Sacramento State mens’ soccer team in a 3-2 non-conference game Sunday afternoon at Anteater Stadium. The Hornets fell to 1-5-2 on the season while the Anteaters improved to 4-3-3.
The Hornets got on the board first in the 26th minute when junior defender Nick Whittaker scored his first collegiate goal off an assist by senior defender Andy Hashimoto.
UC Irvine answered back in the 33rd minute as freshman midfielder Dardo Acuna recorded a goal after set ups by senior forward Jon Spencer and junior midfielder Jon Paulo Roepke. Spencer then added an unassisted goal in the 41st minute to give the Anteaters a 2-1 halftime advantage.
Junior defender Hjalti Kristjansson pulled the Hornets to within one with a free kick goal in the 74th minute but UC Irvine would deny the Hornets a chance to tie. For Kristjansson, it was his second-consecutive free kick goal in as many contests.
Senior goalkeeper Leo Marin finished with a game-high five saves.
The Hornets will begin MPSF play against Air Force at 4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 12, at Hornet Soccer Field. The game will the second of a scheduled doubleheader with the Hornet women’s soccer team.
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