IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer is back after a third straight Big West Championship and three straight seasons with an NCAA Tournament appearance and win under their belts as it sets up it's competitive 2024 slate. Tickets are on-sale now and start at just $7 per person!
The season starts away from home with a second straight season opener against Saint Mary's after the 'Eaters won the 2023 opener against them. The season kicks off August 15, and UCI remains in the Bay Area to face the 2023 National Runners-Up in Stanford on Sunday, August 18. The 'Eaters just missed taking down No. 11 Stanford at home last season falling late, 2-1, and now will go to their place against the Cardinal who reached the College Cup Final last season.
"The squad can't wait to get back together and get going," raved head coach Scott Juniper back for his 18th year at the helm of the program. "It's going to be another tough schedule but the players are really excited.We always have a great game with Saint Mary's and we get an early look at Stanford, too, on opening weekend. I remember going to Stanford in 2011 when they were #1 in the country and we were holding strong at 0-0 up to the 72nd minute.We ultimately lost the game but it was a really good learning experience for us."
UCI's home opener is Thursday, August 22 with a visit from San Diego in the first of eight home matches on the season with three in non-conference play.
UCI will travel to another former Pac-12 opponent heading to Washington on August 25. The newest member of the Big Ten is among four former Pac-12 foes and three Power-5 programs on the schedule. Coach Juniper continues to test his squad which has paid off recently with three straight Big West Championships and taking down a top-ranked foe in each of the NCAA Tournament appearances.
"We travel to Washington to play the University of Washington and Washington State for two more massive games.Not only are these games tough on the field, but you need to learn to be good at managing al the elements of travel.We have some road warriors returning this season so they will teach the next classhow we do it. The goal is to win as many games as we can and still be competing in November. Having been one of only two schools to reach the sweet sixteen in both of the last two seasons, we have a lot of experience playing at the business end of the season.We have it in us to match that and go even further."
The 'Eaters will team up with the men's soccer program twice for doubleheaders starting Labor Day Weekend. UCI hosts San Francisco on Thursday, August 29 with a 4:00 p.m. matchup before men's soccer plays the nightcap. The 'Eaters welcome in it's lone Power-5 opponent to Anteater Stadium in the second doubleheader on Sunday, September 1 with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff with Arizona of the Big 12:
- Thursday, August 29: 4:00 p.m. Women's Soccer vs. San Francisco| 7:00 p.m. Men's Soccer vs. Vermont
- Sunday, September 1: 1:00 p.m. Women's Soccer vs. Arizona| 4:00 p.m. Men's Soccer vs. Mercyhurst
"San Diego, San Francisco, and Arizona are the first three teams to visit Anteater Stadium and we have had fantastic battles with those schools over the years."
The Anteaters test themselves as they head away from home for four weeks playing the final two non-conference matchups on the road - at the newest member of the WCC in Washington State on September 5 and at another WCC foe, Pacific, on September 12. The extended three-game road trip concludes with the team's Big West opener at UC San Diego on Thursday, September 19.
UCI's Big West slate includes a September finale vs. CSUN, September 29, at 1:00 p.m. before it continues in October with four home matches including three in a week with Cal State Bakersfield (Oct. 10), Hawai'i (Oct. 13), and Cal State Fullerton (Oct. 17), and the home finale, Sunday, October 27, with Black & Blue rival, Long Beach State. The daunting Big West schedule is no surprise to coach Juniper. Even with the three straight conference championships, Big West play has tested the Anteaters having to win on the road for each of their last two titles.
"The Big West will be an adventure. It looks like most teams are getting stronger on paper and we will need to be at our best and find consistency early to have a shot at a regular season title and a fourth consecutive Big West Championship."
Big West Championship starts off November3. Women's soccer's opening round will take place on campus sites of the higher seed with the regular season champion hosting the semifinal and final rounds. The Anteaters have won the last three including as a five and six-seed in the last two seasons. The final will take place November 10.
Printable Schedule
| Date | Women's Soccer Schedule |
|---|---|
| Aug. 5 | vs.LMU (Exh.) |
| Aug. 15 | at Saint Mary's |
| Aug. 18 | at Stanford |
| Aug. 22 | San Diego |
| Aug. 25 | at Washington |
| Aug. 29 | San Francisco (Doubleheader with MSOC) |
| Sep. 1 | Arizona (Doubleheader with MSOC) |
| Sep. 5 | at Washington State |
| Sep. 12 | at Pacific |
| Sep. 19 | * at UC San Diego |
| Sep. 29 | * CSUN |
| Oct. 3 | * at Cal Poly |
| Oct. 6 | * at UC Santa Barbara |
| Oct. 10 | * Cal State Bakersfield |
| Oct. 13 | * Hawai'i |
| Oct. 17 | * Cal State Fullerton |
| Oct. 20 | * at UC Davis |
| Oct. 27 | * Long Beach State |
| Oct. 31 | * at UC Riverside |
| Nov. 3, 7, 10 | Big West Tournament |
Group tickets are available for purchases of 15 or more tickets and can include videoboard recognition, photo on the field, team walk-out, halftime scrimmage and more! To organize a group outing, please contact Director of Ticket Sales & Service, Manny Leon, at949-824-8779ormanny.leon@uci.edu. Questions? We'll call you! Fill out theTicket Interest Formor contact the Ticket Office at949-824-5000ortickets@uci.edu.
FAN & TICKET INFORMATION
Buy Tickets | Fan Guide
Tickets are on-sale now and start at just $7 per person! Anteater Stadium offers easy access to top Division I soccer for Orange County and Southern California residents. With a recently added video board and upgraded sound system, Anteater Stadium continues to deliver family friendly entertainment in a fun collegiate environment for a great value!
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