UCI shows finishing kick

IRVINE — When UC Irvine men’s soccer coach George Kuntz said after Wednesday’s Big West Conference home game against UC Riverside that he was concerned about his team finishing, it might have been easy for someone familiar with the Anteaters’ recent history to get the wrong idea.

Finishing problems have, more than anything in recent years, been associated with the latter portion of the regular season for the Anteaters.

Two seasons ago, UCI needed only to defeat Cal State Northridge in the regular-season finale to clinch the conference crown and a guaranteed berth in the NCAA Tournament. Instead, it lost, 1-0, and, in a surprise to many, was denied an NCAA at-large berth.

Last season, it was a virtual collapse in conference play after a 5-0 season that relegated the Anteaters to postseason spectators.

This season, however, a strong finish appears much more likely, with the 3-1 thumping of UC Riverside adding to evidence that included a 3-1 win at two-time defending conference champion UC Santa Barbara on Saturday.

This time, Kuntz’s concerns related to his team squandering a handful of quality scoring chances, particularly during a first-half barrage by his No. 11-ranked squad (11-1-6, 3-1-4), ranked No. 1 in the Far West Region by the national coaches assn., that leveled the Highlanders.

“A coach whose team won, 3-1, would normally say that was a good job of finishing,” said Kuntz, whose team moved into third place with one conference game remaining, as it tries to secure one of four spots in the inaugural conference postseason tournament. “But I’m really concerned about our finishing. That has kind of been our Achilles’ heel.”

UCI senior midfielder Matt Murphy, however, has made a record-setting career of finishing chances. And, after being recognized with six other seniors before the ’Eaters’ final regular-season home match, he showed there is a sense of urgency when it comes to adding to that reputation.

Murphy scored the first two UCI goals and was credited with an assist on the third. Already the school career points leader coming in, his five points Wednesday give him 82, creating further separation with all those who have worn a UCI uniform. Murphy’s 32 career goals also move him to the top of that list, and his 11 game-winning goals are now also tops in school annals.

“He was fantastic tonight,” Kuntz said of his goal-oriented standout. “Any time he has the ball at his feet, he’s always looking to score. He has been that type of player his whole career and he just keeps separating himself from the pack.”

Said senior defender David Sias: “Murphy is brilliant. He’s been doing it for years.”

Murphy’s 10 goals this season are two more than sophomore forward Spencer Thompson, who, like Murphy has benefited from the shift of junior Irving Garcia from midfield to forward.

“Since we’ve moved Irving up top, we’ve produced goals,” said Kuntz, who made the move four games ago. In those four games, UCI has outscored opponents, 9-4, producing three wins and a tie.

Garcia earned an assist on the third UCI goal, scored by senior midfielder Raphael Macedo, that gave the hosts a 3-0 lead just more than six minutes into the second half.

“When Irving gets the ball, he doesn’t lose it,” Murphy said. “He beats players and opens up a lot of space. It has been a while since we’ve had a player who has been able to do that.”

The offensive flow, combined with consistently steady defense anchored by Sias, fellow senior back-liners Kyle Schmid and Shane Westbrook, as well as freshman goalie Andrew Fontain, have created a wave of confidence for UCI.

“It’s a whole different feeling,” Sias said. “Last year, we were a little unsure, timid, and this year it’s just confidence. We come into every game knowing we’re going to win.”

UCI has 16 points (three for a win and one for a tie) in the conference standings, trailing Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (18) and UCSB (17). Northridge has 15.

UCI can still earn the regular-season conference crown with a win Saturday at Northridge, combined with a UC Davis win over UCSB Saturday, But a loss, could drop the ’Eaters to fifth, without a conference tournament berth.

Some finish.

BARRY FAULKNER may be reached at (714) 966-4615 or at barry.faulkner@latimes.com.