SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Visiting UC Irvine scored twice nine minutes apart in the first half and added a third goal on an penalty kick five minutes into the second half on Saturday afternoon, handing host Sacramento State a 3-0 defeat at Hornet Soccer Field.

The Hornets finished with a 12-11 advantage in the shot column and finished with six of the match's eight corners on the day, but could not dent the back of the net. Sacramento State's best two chances came in the 48th minute when Sean Battistessa header off a corner was snatched out of the air by the Anteater goalkeeper — the only save of the match for either team — and Donovan Sessoms glanced an attempt off the left post in the 55th minute.

UC Irvine put only three of its 11 shot attempts on goal, but all found the back of the net. Cristian Gallo scored his first of the year in the 31st minute to give the Anteaters the early lead and was followed by Zac Smuck's third goal of the year in the 40th minute for a 2-0 lead.

Agaton Pourshahidi then capped the scoring by successfully converting a penalty in the 50th minute after a teammate was taken down in the box.

Sophomore Eli Reyneveld finished with a team-high three shot attempts as a reserve while Battistessa, Sessoms, and Hiroshi Yang all finished with a pair.

Sacramento State plays a pair of contests next week, traveling to UC Santa Barbara on Wednesday (Oct. 22) at 7 p.m., before hosting UC San Diego in its final home match of the year on Saturday (Oct. 25) at 3 p.m. The Hornets' senior class will be honored prior to kickoff against the Tritons at approximately 2:45 p.m.