IRVINE, Calif. – The UC Irvine women’s soccer team (8-1-2) defeated Nevada 4-2 Sunday afternoon to win the Anteater Invitational at Anteater Stadium.

Senior Alyssa Humphrey (Rancho Santa Margarita/Santa Margarita HS) crossed the ball to freshman Zoya Farzaneh (Irvine HS) who passed it to sophomore Alexis Rafael (Stockton/Lincoln HS) who put UCI up 1-0 in the 36th minute. Rafael would make it 2-0 UCI in the 42nd minute off an assist from junior Amanda Hardeman (Laguna Niguel/Santiago Canyon College).

The Wolf Pack cut the lead to 2-1 in the 49th minute as Danielle Green sent a free kick from 35 yards out over the keeper’s head. Jill Erickson tied the match at 2-2 as she followed up a rebound from Cristen Drummond’s shot in the 57th minute. Senior Tanya Taylor (Buena Park/Sunny Hills HS) bicycled in a ball from freshman Zuri Walker (San Diego/Francis Parker HS) who had collected a corner kick from senior Nikki Forrest (Upland HS) in the 74th minute to put UCI up 3-2. Junior Lexi Kopf (Sonora HS) got an assist from sophomore Mar Rodriguez (Santa Ana/Valley HS) inside the box to give the Anteaters a 4-2 lead in the the 77th minute.

Senior keeper Danielle de Seriere (Cerritos/Mayfair HS) had five saves for UCI. Keeper Marie Cove had three saves in the opening half for Nevada while Dana Moreno had one save in the second half.

Mar Rodriguez was named the MVP of the Anteater Invitational. UCI won the tournament with six points, Oregon State finished second with three points and UC Riverside and Nevada finished tied for third with one point each.

The Anteaters open Big West play Friday as they host Pacific at 7:00 p.m. at Anteater Stadium.

Anteater Invitational All-Tournament Team

Mar Rodriguez – UC Irvine (MVP)
Alexis Rafael – UC Irvine
Danielle de Seriere – UC Irvine
Judy Christopher – UC Irvine
Tanya Taylor – UC Irvine
Colleen Boyd – Oregon State
Milan Cabrera – Oregon State
Melinda Ingalls – Oregon State
Cristen Drummond – Nevada
Danielle Green – Nevada
Jessica White – UC Riverside
Candis Novis – UC Riverside