COLLEGES:

UC Irvine women’s soccer coach Scott Juniper had waited more than 85 minutes for a goal from his Anteaters in Sunday’s Big West Conference road clash against UC Riverside. So, when the Highlanders fouled a UCI player in the 18-yard box, prompting a penalty kick opportunity for the visitors, Juniper was in no rush to make his next move.

“We were all looking for [sophomore midfielder] Milana [Shabestari] to take the spot kick and then we realized she was on the bench,” Juniper said after freshman Judy Christopher stepped up and drilled the PK for a 1-0 victory.

“To be honest, I just waited to see who stepped up to take it,” Juniper said of Christopher, a defender who had not scored all season until notching the game-winner.

“Judy is a wonderful player who has a viking spirit about her that lends itself to dominating the game defensively,” Juniper said. “For her to step up and take that kick was a sign that she has the leadership qualities to dominate the middle of the park in our conference for the next four years.”

 While Christopher literally made the decision for him Sunday, Juniper and his staff are faced with a frequent quandary in deciding who gets to tend the net each game.

Sophomore Danielle de Seriere got the call Sunday and made three saves to post her second shutout of the season for UCI (8-7-1, 2-2-1 in conference).

But freshman Erica Quevedo has three shutouts this season and was the conference co-player of the week last week.

Senior Erin Henry has one shutout this season and her 139 career saves rank eighth in UCI annals.

“Our goalkeepers literally have to battle it out every day and the one that competes the best in practice gets the start,” said Juniper, in his second season after taking over for April Heinrichs.

“What is wonderful is that they compete hard during the week and whoever starts has the full support of the other two. They are setting the standard for how to compete in a competitive environment and remain a team player.”

 Just days after Coach Charlie Brande announced this would be his last season as women’s volleyball coach at UCI, the Anteaters used supreme coaching to upset No. 24-ranked Long Beach State in four games in a conference clash Thursday at Crawford Court.

Standouts Kari Pestolesi, Lauren Kellerman and Devon Sutherland all credited a stellar game plan and thorough preparation by the staff, including assistants Sabrina Hernandez and Jay Hosack, for helping them surprise the 49ers.

It was the first time seniors Kellerman and Sutherland had beaten their Black and Blue rivals in seven career tries.

 While the action on the court was enough to please a revved-up home crowd Thursday, those interested in enjoying an entertaining display of competitive intensity, unselfish and undying support, as well as the occasional comedic dance routine, needed only to watch UCI junior reserve Lauren Souto make all of the aforementioned contributions to her team from the sideline. The 5-foot-2 Souto clearly stands tall as the consummate teammate.

 The UCI men’s and women’s basketball teams were introduced to a sizable crowd at the Bren Events Center Friday night as part of SHOCKTOBERFEST, put on by the associated students.

The basketball portion of the event included a video presentation of Kobe Bryant urging students to come out and watch the Anteaters this season.

 The UCI baseball team has also begun preparation for its 2009 season, holding the third of three intrasquad games last week on Sunday at Anteater Ballpark.

Senior outfielder/designated hitter Tony Asaro launched a home run over the left-field wall to highlight the offense for the first several innings.

Junior second baseman Casey Stevenson appeared to injure his right hamstring while sprinting toward first base after lacing a leadoff hit down the right-field line. He limped off the field and left the ballpark on a cart.

Coach Mike Gillespie’s chagrin over Stevenson’s injury was immediate and animated.

Noteworthy this fall is the use of senior designated hitter Brock Bardeen and junior outfielder Sean Madigan as pitchers.

Bardeen threw effectively for two innings Sunday, while Madigan, fully recovered from a back problem that prematurely ended his summer in the Cape Cod League, is reportedly being prepped for use on the mound as a situational left-hander.