IRVINE, Calif. - The No. 20 UC Irvine men's soccer team (1-0) defeated Gonzaga 4-0 Wednesday night in non-conference play at Anteater Stadium.


The ‘Eaters struck early as junior Miguel Ibarra (Lancaster/Taft College) passed the ball to junior defender Jimmy Turner (Mission Viejo HS) who blasted the ball into the upper right corner of the net from 30 yards out 1:26 into the match. Ibarra then crossed the ball into the box where senior defender Joel Bagby (Edison HS) headed it past the keeper in the 5th minute putting UCI up 2-0. Senior Amani Walker (San Diego/Francis Parker HS) deflected in a ball from senior Spencer Thompson (Ahwatukee, Ariz./Mountain Pointe HS) to give UCI a 3-0 lead in the 49th minute. In the 83rd minute, junior Navid Torabian (Sacramento/Rio Americano HS) passed the ball to freshman Christopher Santana (Bishop Union HS) in the left corner. Santana sent the ball along the end line to junior Christian Hernandez (Palmdale/Taft College) who poked the ball over the line putting UCI up 4-0.

 

Junior goalkeeper Andrew Fontein (Las Vegas, Nev./Sierra Vista HS) had zero saves as he earned the shutout for the ‘Eaters. Keeper Jeff Renslo had three saves for the Bulldogs in the opening half while Ryan Caballero had six saves in the second half.


The goals by Turner, Bagby and Hernandez were the first as Anteaters for each player. The 4-0 victory is the largest goal differential for the ‘Eaters since 2006 when they beat UC Riverside by an equal 4-0 margin.

 

The ‘Eaters return to action Saturday as they face Loyola Chicago at 7:30 p.m. in the second game of a doubleheader as part of the UC Irvine College Classic at Anteater Stadium. Santa Clara and Wisconsin kick off the tournament at 5:00 p.m. in the opening half of the doubleheader.