MSOC | No. 10 Gaels Complete Perfect Non-Conference Schedule Against UCI

Saturday, September 29

Moraga, CA

1:00 p.m. PT

Saint Mary's College of California

11-0

UC Irvine

6-4-1

UC Irvine

Saint Mary's (CA)

Photo by: Saint Mary's Athletics / Tod Fierner

MSOC | No. 10 Gaels Complete Perfect Non-Conference Schedule Against UCI

9/29/2018 6:03:00 PM | Men's Soccer

Box Score

Saint Mary's will head into WCC-play with an 11-0 record after defeating UC Irvine on Saturday.

MORAGA, Calif. — The No. 10 Gaels completed their non-conference schedule a perfect 11-0 after winning 1-0 against UC Irvine (6-4-1) on Saturday afternoon. The win for the Gaels was their fourth 1-0 shutout in a row.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Jake Rudel gave the Gaels the lead in the 11th minute as he scored the lone goal of the game and his eighth goal of the season. Filippo Zattarin launched a long pass to Anders Engebretsen as Engebretsen ran down the left side and crossed back to Rudel in the middle of the box for the goal. The goal was Rudel's third game-winner of the season, tying him with Jakub Svehlik for team lead in game-winning goals.

Saint Mary's defense limited the Anteaters to only seven shots in the match. Remi Prieur was not forced to make a save until the 76th minute as he captured his eighth shutout of the season. Prieur tallied his best save of the game as Alvaro Quezada had a point-blank opportunity to score in the 83rd minute but was denied by the Saint Mary's goalie.

Saint Mary's had several quality scoring opportunities in the match including Stephen Dougherty's 24-yard shot off a set piece that ricocheted off the crossbar and off the goalie's back in the 64th minute. Rudel and Engebretsen also had open-net opportunities late in the match but their shots glanced just wide of the goal.

The Gaels now have a 6-3-1 all-time record against the Anteaters and have won the last three games between the two teams.

THOUGHTS FROM ADAM COOPER

"I'm very proud of our team today. That was a difficult game after a tough week of traveling and battling. Our guys dug in deep and did what they needed to do to get the result. It was nice to see lots of our guys step up today."

QUICK FACTS

The Gaels held the Anteaters to only one shot in the first half.
Saint Mary's has recorded double-digit shots in every game.
Prieur was forced to only make three saves during the contest.
Rudel and Engebretsen led the team with five shots a piece in the match.
Saint Mary's has not surrendered a goal in nearly two weeks since their 4-3 win over UC Riverside on Sept. 16.

UP NEXT: PACIFIC

The Gaels will travel to Stockton for their first conference game on Oct. 7 for a 6 p.m. kickoff against the Tigers. Tickets for the game can be found by clicking here, calling the Ticket Office at (925) 631-GoTx, or by purchasing them at the entrance to the stadium.