IRVINE, Calif. - The Sacramento State men's soccer team fell to the No. 16 ranked UC Irvine Anteaters by a score of 2-0, on Sunday, Sept. 20.
With the loss, the Hornets fall to 3-3-1, while UC Irvine improves to 5-2-0.
UC Irvine opened the scoring in the seventh minute, as Irving Garcia scored following a give and go with Spencer Thompson in the box, giving the Anteaters a 1-0 lead.
Sacramento State had a strong scoring chance in the 11th minute, as freshman Max Alvarez had his shot saved over the end line by Irvine 'keeper Andrew Fontein. The Hornets could not get a shot on the insuing corner kick, and the game remained 1-0 in favor of the Anteaters.
Alvarez again had a shot saved by Fontein in the 17th minute that once again led to a Hornet corner. This time the Hornets got a shot off the corner, but freshman Matt Linenberger's header went high over the crossbar. The third time wasn't the charm, however, as Alvarez had a shot again deflect off the Anteaters goalkeeper for a corner kick, but Sacramento State was unable to convert.
At the half the Hornets held a 6-5 advantage in shots, and a 5-1 advantage in shots on goal, despite trailing 1-0.
In the second half, Sacramento State came out of the locker room with a barrage of shots. Junior Diego Marroquin had a header go high in the 47th minute, which was followed by a high shot off the foot of Alvarez and a save by Fontein on a shot by sophomore Adam Bettencourt.
The Hornets, however, were unable to find the tying goal, and the Anteaters put the game away in the 83rd minute. Spencer Thompson took control of a punt from Irvine 'keeper Fontein and streaked toward the goal, scoring his third of the season to give the Anteaters the 2-0 victory.
UC Irvine outshot the Hornets by a slim 12-11 margin in the match, but Sacramento State put seven shots on goal to just four for the Anteaters.
Alvarez led the Hornets with five shots, including four on goal, while Marroquin posted two shots, including one effort on frame.
UC Irvine was led by Thompson and Amani Walker, who posted four shots apiece.
Sacramento State returns to action on Friday, Sept. 25 as they host William Jessup at Hornet Soccer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
IRVINE, Calif. - The Sacramento State men's soccer team fell to the No. 16 ranked UC Irvine Anteaters by a score of 2-0, on Sunday, Sept. 20.
