With high expectations and an even greater confidence level coming into tonight’s match, Sacramento State men’s soccer was looking to win its first round Big West Tournament playoff game against No. 18 UC Irvine. 

Despite a hard fought performance at Anteater Stadium, the Hornets (6-11-3, Big West 4-5-1) were shutout by the Anteaters (13-5-2, Big West 4-5-1) by a final score of 2-0 Saturday night.

In the first half, the hornets where off to a quick start putting extra pressure on Anteaters junior goalkeeper Michael Breslin.

An opportunity to score slipped the Hornets 31 minutes into the game. Sac State senior defender Cody Hoster’s shot was just a bit high off the goal and the game remained 0-0. 

Breslin made an excellent save at the 37 minute mark as Sac State freshman forward Cylus Sandoval’s shot was intercepted by the goalkeeper. The Anteaters outshot the Hornets by a 9-4 margin in the first half. 

It was still a 0-0 contest, until the Anteaters redshirt sophomore defender Matt Tilley scored his first goal of the season via a diving header off a corner kick orchestrated by junior midfielder Mats Bjurman and junior midfielder Eduardo Calzada. 

Less than two minutes later, the Anteaters scored again. Senior forward Cameron Iwasa scored from inside the far right post via an assist from senior midfielder Mitchell Alvarez. 

Late in the game, Sac  State had another chance to put the ball in net and score its first goal. However, redshirt sophomore midfielder Bert Corona’s shot deflected off the crossbar near the 89th minute mark. 

Defensively for the Hornets, redshirt sophomore goalkeeper Philip Bru had a total of four saves tonight as he was busy blocking shots in front of the net all throughout the contest. 

Despite a loss in the opening round of the Big West Tournament, the men’s soccer team made it to the playoffs for the first time since joining the league three years ago.