IRVINE, Calif. -- UC Irvine pushed its unbeaten streak to 10 matches to open the season as it drew with Cal Poly 1-1 Thursday night at Spanos Stadium.
The goalkeepers made their presence felt throughout the match, combining to stop 14 shots.
Michael Breslin was put to the task early, needing to deny three shots in the opening period. Cal Poly (5-3-2, 0-0-1 Big West) had 1,103 fans backing it, and got an added boost right before the halftime whistle as Chase Minter fed Matt LaGrassa in the 43rd minute to put the Mustangs up 1-0.
UC Irvine (8-0-2, 0-0-1) charged out of the halftime gate peppering CP keeper Wade Hamilton and eventually knotted the match in the 76th minute. Mario Ortiz scored his first collegiate goal and first as an 'Eater thanks to a brilliant pass from Michael Sperber.
UCI continued its late push as multiple chances from Lester Hayes III fell short in the final minutes leaving the teams to settle it out in overtime.
FT/2OT - No. 3 UCI 1-1 Cal Poly | Ortiz (76') Breslin 6 saves 'Eaters (8-0-2) play at UCSB Sat. Oct. 4 at 7 PM
— UCI M Soccer (@UCImsoc) October 3, 2014
The squads combined to fire off nine shots and earn six corner kicks in the 20 minutes of added time, but each were turned away.
UCI put up a season-high 21 shots and 13 corners in the match. Hayes III led all 'Eaters with four shots. Sperber's helper on the goal marked his second career assist and point.
Mustang midfielder Justin Dhillon led all players with five shots and three on target. Hamilton finished with eight saves.
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Box score
