‘Eaters explode, triumph
Heading into its nonconference home game with Loyola Marymount on Thursday, the UC Irvine men’s soccer team had as many goals this season as it did uniform choices — three.
Check that. More than double that in fact.
The Anteaters (2-4-2) released their offensive frustration and extended their home streak of stymieing opponents on their way to a 4-1 victory that was as needed for the Anteaters’ players and coaches as it was entertaining for the UCI students who began classes this week.
It was UCI’s first victory since the season opener, a span of 27 days and seven matches. Before the Lions (5-4) averted the clean sheet with a penalty kick in the 80th minute, UCI, which chose its grey uniforms over its gold or blue options, extended its home shutout streak to 626 minutes, dating back to last season.
Freshman forward Luis Leon scored the first two goals, the first of his college career, to create a season-best scoring output that only multiplied for the Anteaters.
Senior forward Jaime Phillips made it 3-0 on a breakaway in the 58th minute and senior Lalo Calzada capped the scoring in the 85th minute to allow a full repertoire of goal celebrations.
UCI, which had 36 shots in its first seven matches, amassed a 24-11 shot advantage. And one-quarter of its 16 second-half shots showed up on the scoreboard.
“We have the ability to score goals,” UCI Coach Chris Volk said. “The scores have been few and far between in our first seven games, so it was nice to find the back of the net.”
Leon, who had 12 career shots, and just four shots on goal coming in, said it was gratifying to help open the floodgates.
“It feels great, especially as a freshman,” Leon said. “Coming back from two really hard losses on the road and being on a [six-match winless] streak, it feels good to come home and play in front of our students. And it was good to score those goals.”
Leon admitted he may have made a rookie mistake celebrating his first tally.
“On that first one, I didn’t know what to do,” Leon said, “so I sprinted 60 yards into the crowd [to the UCI student rooters at the opposite end of the stadium]. I’m not going to lie; I was dead tired when I went back on the field.”
UCI never tired of attacking the frame after a scoreless first half, when it earned an 8-6 advantage on shots.
“We made some adjustments in the second half,” Volk said. “And I’m very pleased with the way the boys responded. To get goals on 25% of our shots [in the second half] is something we’ll take every time.
“We’ve had a tough schedule to this point with five of our eight matches on the road, so it was nice to be back at home.”
Freshman Ivan Canales, who came in with two of his team’s three goals this season, earned primary assists on both of Leon’s goals.
Calzada and Phillips were also credited with assists on UCI’s first two goals, which came in the 51st and 64th minute, respectively.
Junior Andy Mendoza and senior goalie Michael Breslin had assists on Phillips’ breakaway tally, and Calzada put home his own rebound to cap the hosts’ scoring outburst.
Breslin made three saves, including a point-blank stop while charging 10 yards off his line in the 44th minute, to keep things scoreless.
Leon and Phillips had six shots apiece, while senior midfielder Mats Bjurman was another catalyst. Bjurman headed a Leon corner kick just over the crossbar late in the first half.
In the 97th minute, Canales, who now has a team-best six points, fired a shot off the crossbar.
UCI will attempt to keep it rolling when it visits UCLA on Sunday at 5 p.m.