IRVINE, Calif. – Saint Mary's Men's Soccer earned a draw in their first road match of the season, preserving the shutout against a UC Irvine team receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll.
SMC (3-1-2) initially had a lead in shots through the first 40 minutes of action. But the Anteaters (3-1-2) got four shots off in the last five minutes. Keeper Jack Landreth and the Gaels defense stayed stout however, and stopped some dangerous attacks to end the half and to start the second.
A flurry of early second-half shots by the Anteaters from the 56th to 58th minute, started with a big save from Landreth, finished with kick save by the Washington native to clear it, and had blocks in between from Luke Lawerence, Louis Sterobo, and Timothy Stephens
The Gaels put on their own barrage of shots after that, with one in 76th minute by Tyler Hardin eating up the UC Irvine keeper and making him stumble, but without other Gaels around he was able to hang on and keep Saint Mary's off the board.