UCLA Women End Irvine’s Streak

A burst of speed and some solid defense ended UC Irvine’s 14-game unbeaten streak in women’s soccer.

UCLA got an early second-half goal from reserve striker Venus James for a 1-0 victory in front of a school-record 660 at Irvine. It stopped the second-longest unbeaten streak in the nation. North Carolina has not lost in 53 games.

The 17th-ranked Bruins’ speed, especially by James, had the Anteaters on their heels.

James picked up a shanked kick by Irvine’s Danica Holt 35 yards out. She ran past one defender and bulled past two more. Her left-footed shot beat goalkeeper Kirsten Roy at the 47-minute mark.

“When they put James in, that changed the whole game for us,” UCI Coach Marine Cano said. “She is so fast that she took us off our marks. We had to go 120 yards [to attack].”

The Anteaters (8-1-1), ranked 21st in the nation, were able to control the game early but couldn’t capitalize.

Stephanie Rigamat hit the left post three minutes into the game. Rigamat had another opportunity 10 minutes later, as she took a crossing pass from Laura Lamb. But UCLA goalkeeper Lindsay Culp deflected the shot over the crossbar. Culp, who made seven saves, also handled a 25-yard blast from Nicole Bucciarelli midway through the half.

The Bruins (8-1-1) slowly took control. Their defense bottled up Bucciarelli and Rigamat, both of whom have eight goals this season.

Rigamat nearly got the Anteaters even in the final minute, as her centering pass appeared to be headed to Bucciarelli. But Culp dived to snag the pass.