Briefs: UCI women’s soccer in Big West semifinal

The UC Irvine women’s soccer team is the No. 4 seed in the Big West Conference Tournament that begins Thursday at UCI.

The Anteaters (9-8-3, 5-1-3 in conference) completed the regular season with a scoreless tie against conference visitor Hawaii on Sunday to finish fourth in the Big West.

Coach Scott Juniper’s squad will likely need to win the Big West Tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the third straight season. UCI plays host to top-seeded Cal State Fullerton (10-8-0, 7-2) in the second semifinal Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

No. 2-seeded Cal State Northridge meets No. 3-seeded Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the other semifinal at 5 p.m. at UCI.

The two semifinal winners meet Sunday at 1 p.m. at UCI for the conference’s automatic NCAA berth.

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Lions top-seeded

The Vanguard University women’s soccer team, which captured the program’s first Golden State Athletic Conference regular-season title, is the top seed for the GSAC Tournament.

No. 8-ranked Vanguard (14-2, 10-0 in conference), gets a bye into Friday’s semifinals. It will play host to the lowest-remaining seed at 2 p.m.

No. 5-seeded Concordia visits No. 4 The Master’s and No. 6 Hope International is at No. 3 Biola in Tuesday’s first round.

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Vanguard in mix

The Vanguard University men’s soccer team plays host to Hope International in the first round of the Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament on Wednesday.

No. 4-seeded VU (7-8-3, 5-3-2 in conference) battles Hope (10-7-1, 4-5-1) at 2 p.m. for the right to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.