UCI tops Hornets

SACRAMENTO -- Sophomore midfielder Darbo Acuna converted a penalty

kick in the 61st minute to break a 2-2 tie and propel the visiting UC

Irvine men’s soccer team to a 3-2 nonconference victory Sunday at

Sacramento State.

A Sacramento State defender was called for a hand ball in the

18-yard box to set up the penalty kick. It was the second goal of the

game for Acuna, who converted an assist from senior midfielder Jason

Thompson to forge a 1-1 tie in the seventh minute.

The Hornets opened the scoring when Ricky Rodriguez set up fellow

sophomore Alex Maurtua, who sent a header into the net in the fourth

minute.

Maurtua’s second goal put the hosts on top in the 23rd minute, but

UCI freshman forward Kyle Close scored unassisted off a deflection in

front in the 34th minute.

UCI, which improved to 4-1-1, was outshot 18-10 by the Hornets

(1-2-1). Sacramento, playing its first home game, also led in shots

on goal, 9-6. UCI goalie Cameron Rossi, a 6-foot-4 sophomore,

collected seven saves.

Coach George Kuntz’s Anteaters return to action Sunday, when they

host San Jose State in a 2 p.m. clash. It will be the first of six

straight home games for UCI, including a meeting with the alumni

scheduled Oct. 5.