Anteaters capture UCI titles

IRVINE — The No. 8-ranked UC Irvine men’s soccer team remained undefeated with a 2-0 victory against Cleveland State to win the UC Irvine College Classic Monday night

The Anteaters improved to 3-0.

Junior Amani Walker was named MVP of the tournament, while junior Corey Attaway, sophomore Andrew Fontein, senior Irving Garcia and junior Spencer Thompson earned all-tournament team honors.

Attaway fought for the ball at midfield and knocked the ball to freshman Jonathan Prieto in the left corner. Prieto then crossed the ball to Thompson, who knocked it in past the keeper on the right post for a 1-0 UCI lead in the 4th minute.

Thompson would go on to draw a penalty kick after being fouled on a breakaway just inside the box. Walker took the kick for UCI and converted to put the ’Eaters up 2-0.

Fontein, UCI’s goalie, had one save in the match to pick up his second shutout in a row. Keeper Nick Harpel had eight saves for the Vikings.

The Anteaters will next play in the Marquette Invitational, facing DePaul Friday at 3 p.m.

Long Island defeated Santa Clara, 2-0, in the opening match of the day at the UC Irvine College Classic.

TAYLOR FEATURED IN SHUTOUT VICTORY

IRVINE — UC Irvine junior Tanya Taylor, who scored two goals Sunday, was named MVP after leading the Anteaters to win the UC Irvine Invitational.

Taylor’s goals helped UCI (5-1) beat Southern Utah, 4-0, at Anteater Stadium.

Freshman Dana Sanderlin and junior Alyssa Humphrey scored one goal each and junior Milana Shabestari added an assist.

Sanderlin, Humphrey and senior Kate Berrini were named to the all tournament team, as was junior goalie Danielle de Seriere, who had five saves, as she earned her third straight shutout of the year.

This is UCI’s first five-game winning streak since it started the 1998 season 5-0.

The Anteaters will play at UNLV Friday at 7 p.m.

UC Riverside defeated Fresno State 1-0 in the opening match of the UC Irvine Invitational Sunday.

— From staff reports