Anteaters, 49ers play 1-1 deadlock

The UC Irvine women’s soccer team remained unbeaten in Big West

Conference play Sunday by tying host Long Beach State, 1-1.

UCI junior forward Hayley McNallan opened the scoring in the 57th

minute, taking a pass from freshman midfielder Laci Fults and scoring

from 12 feet out.

The Anteaters (5-6-1, 2-0-1 in conference), couldn’t protect the

lead, however, as Long Beach State’s Allison Weigand scored on a

header in the 70th minute to force overtime. Alexandra Rowinski

earned the assist on the equalizer.

UCI posted all five shots in the two overtime periods, but

couldn’t find the net against the 49ers (3-7-4, 1-0-2).

The hosts controlled play in the first half, outshooting the

Anteaters, 8-3, but Coach Marine Cano’s visitors forged a 7-3 shot

advantage in the second half.

McNallan had a game-high six shots, while UCI senior defender Sara

Henderson and junior midfielder Caroline Kabe added two shots apiece

for the ‘Eaters.

UCI sophomore goalkeeper Chelsea McCarthy made three saves, while

Long Beach net minder Megan Hartwyk finished with one.

UCI, now 1-1-1 in overtime contests this season, returns to action

Friday when it hosts Big West Conference rival UC Riverside at 7 p.m.

“We played a great first half,” Long Beach Coach Peter Reynaud

said. “We had a ton of chances, we just were not able to finish.”