Oct. 6, 2005

MALIBU, Calif. - With two seconds remaining on the clock, a centering pass to a streaking Jesse Smith was tipped just wide of the net, preserving UC Irvine's first victory over Pepperdine, 6-5, in three tries this season. It was the first Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Match (MPSF) of the season for both teams.

It was a frantic-paced final stanza as Pepperdine (9-4, 0-1 MPSF) tried to erase a one-goal deficit. With its sixth man advantage opportunity, the Waves got a quick score at the 4:13 mark as Smith beat the Irvine (6-6, 1-0 MPSF) keeper, evening the score at 5-all.

The Anteater's answered on the following possession as Tim Hutten recorded his third goal of the night giving UCI the lead back with 3:52 remaining in the contest. With 1:15 remaining, a Matt Digges shot beat the UCI goalie low and to the right, but hit the upright and deflected away.

Pepperdine led 2-1 after the first seven minutes of play and led 3-2 at the half, but had to fight off a 6-on-4 UCI advantage early in the second period.

Irvine netted three goals in the third period, two on its first two possessions to capture its first lead of the night.

The Waves will return to action Saturday at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool as it takes on UC Santa Barbara in MPSF action. Game time is slated for Noon in Malibu.