In UC Irvine girls’s soccer’s second and last exhibition match of the 2025 season, the Anteaters took down Trinity Western 2-0 at Anteater Stadium on Aug. 11.
Irvine began the matchup in opposition to the Canadian program strongly, scoring early on on the 7:08 mark. Sophomore midfielder Milan Heisdorf kicked off the scoring for UCI, placing a aim in from the left aspect of the pitch. Heisdorf will look to increase her position as a constant starter in 2025 after beginning seven video games final yr. Senior midfielders and similar twins Mia Colombini and Ella Colombini recorded assists on the aim.
Postgame, UCI head coach Scott Juniper spoke in regards to the expectations for Heisdorf in 2025.
\u201cI really mentioned to Milan earlier than the sport, I believe she’s one in every of our most skilled gamers now. She’s so comfy and calm on the ball. [She] nonetheless [has] an extended strategy to go, she\u2019s a rising sophomore however I believe it’s superior when you could have somebody from an area Irvine highschool who\u2019s right here at UCI,\u201d Juniper advised New College.
Irvine continued the primary half by dominating the time of possession battle and protecting their defensive rotations tight. All through the rest of the half, UCI restricted the Spartans to only one shot and minimal time with the ball.
Notable for an exhibition sport, Trinity Western saved their substitutions to a minimal. Within the first half, head coach Graham Roxburgh didn’t use his bench till in regards to the 32-minute mark of the interval.
Sustaining management of the ball and limiting errors whereas taking part in comparatively conservative on offense, UCI led 1-0 on the half. Irvine solely generated two pictures of their very own within the first interval, however the Anteater protection stood sturdy to take care of its lead.
UCI received an early harm scare to start the second half when freshman ahead Fiona Shin went down arduous after a Trinity Western deal with. Shin was down for a few minute and walked gingerly for just a few moments however was in a position to keep within the sport.
Irvine was in a position to put extra stress on the Spartan protection early within the second half, producing three pictures within the first 13 minutes of the half. The Anteater push was capped off by Mia Colombini placing a shot in for her first aim of the yr, pushing UCI\u2019s result in 2-0. Sophomore defender Kamryn Taylor recorded the help on the aim.
Mia Colombini spoke about her staff\u2019s efficiency postgame and famous that it was the second time in an exhibition sport that she shared an help together with her twin.
\u201cI’m simply actually excited to play with all these ladies. And I’m excited to play with my sister as properly. I believe it is a actually good group of individuals and gamers, and I believe we’ve a very good likelihood in convention,\u201d Mia Colombini advised New College.
The UCI crowd cheered noticeably louder when senior ahead Jenika Davis checked in halfway by means of the second half. After Davis was recognized with Acute Myeloid Leukemia simply 5 video games into her freshman season, the UCI girls\u2019s soccer program rallied across the senior to create #TeamJenika <\/a>as a part of the UCI Anti-Cancer Challenge<\/a>. Davis performed 27 minutes in opposition to the Spartans, contributing a shot on aim.
\u201cI get chills each time she [Davis] performs. She simply desires to play and be on the market. She doesn’t care the place she performs and every time she’s on the market, she simply places her complete coronary heart into it,\u201d Mia Colombini mentioned. \u201cWe’re all simply so, so pleased with her, and we simply are so excited for her this season.\u201d
Shutting out Trinity Western, UCI closed out the matchup, profitable 2-0 and sustaining a defensive stronghold on the sport. The Spartans had been solely in a position to generate one shot within the second half and three on the evening in complete.
Juniper famous how a lot of the staff shouldn’t be solely exceptionally younger but in addition new to UCI in 2025; 10 of UCI\u2019s 30 gamers are newcomers, with eight being first-years. Juniper, in his 18th yr as head coach, provided reward to all the newcomers together with the veteran management who will look to information the brand new gamers of their first yr at Anteater Stadium.
\u201cThey’re a category of freshmen who’re able to play in addition to another class in the previous few years, for positive. And we’ve received lots of management that’s emerged,\u201d Juniper mentioned. \u201cWe graduated lots of management within the final two years and the management we’ve received returning \u2026 goes to wish to step up if we’re going to tug this complete factor collectively.\u201d
UCI cut up a street journey to Arizona, going 1-1 in opposition to Grand Canyon and The College of Arizona. The Anteaters took down GCU 4-1 earlier than dropping their match in opposition to the Wildcats 1-0. Subsequent, UCI will come again to California for an Aug. 21 sport in opposition to The College of San Diego.
Jacob Ramos is a Sports activities Employees Author. He may be reached at <\/em><\/strong>jacobtr@uci.edu<\/em><\/strong><\/a>. <\/em><\/strong>
Edited by Jack Fedor and Joshua Gonzales<\/em><\/strong>
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