College Roundup: Anteaters advance to Big West title game

MEN’S SOCCER

UC Irvine 2, UC Davis 0

Seniors Enrique Cardenas and Christopher Santana scored goals for the host Anteaters in the semifinals of the Big West Conference Tournament.

The Anteaters (13-4-2), champions of the Big West South Division, will meet South Division runner-up Cal State Northridge (15-5-1) in the tournament final on Sunday at 2 p.m. at UCI.

Cardenas converted a Thomas Janjigian corner kick in the 12th minute to open the scoring and Santana got an assist from Trey Hayes in the 85th minute.

UCI goalkeeper Michael Breslin made just one save to earn his eighth shutout as UCI posted an 11-6 advantage in shots.

Santana had six shots for the winners, who have already defeated Cal State Northridge twice this season.

Sunday’s winner earns an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.

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Orange Coast 1, Norco 1

NORCO — Brice Manning’s goal in the 87th minute erased the Pirates’ 1-0 deficit and helped them clinch the Orange Empire Conference championship Friday, their first conference crown in 22 seasons.

OCC finished 10-4-4, 9-2-3 in conference. With three points for a win and one for a conference tie, OCC’s 30 points were two better than Santa Ana, which was tied, 0-0, by Golden West on Friday.

OCC earns an automatic berth into the 16-team Southern California Regional playoffs that begin next week.