UC Irvine men defeat Cal Poly

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - The No. 3 seed UC Irvine men's soccer team (14-6) defeated No. 2 seed Cal Poly 2-1 in double overtime Wednesday night in the semifinals of the Big West Tournament at Alex G. Spanos Stadium.

Senior Irving Garcia (San Luis, Ariz./Yavapai College) sent a ball into the box where it was headed in by senior Carlos Aguilar (Palmdale/Taft College) 1:59 into the match giving UCI a 1-0 lead. The ‘Eaters committed a foul three yards outside the box; giving the Mustangs a free kick in the 30th minute. David Zamora took the kick for Cal Poly and knocked inside the post to tie the match at 1-1. The teams remained tied through regulation and one 10 minute overtime period. Junior Spencer Thompson (Ahwatukee, Ariz./Mountain Pointe HS) was fouled inside the box giving UCI a penalty kick at the 102:49 mark. Aguilar took the kick for the ‘Eaters and converted to give UCI the 2-1 victory.

Sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Fontein (Las Vegas, Nev./Sierra Vista HS) had two saves for the ‘Eaters. Keeper Patrick McLain had eight saves for the Mustangs.

The ‘Eaters now advance to face No. 1 seed UC Santa Barbara Saturday at 7:00 p.m. in the Big West Tournament championship match at Harder Stadium.