SET PIECES
1st -UCI became the 2nd team to beat a 1-seed in the first round in 2023, but is now the 1st to also reach the Sweet Sixteen
7 -UCI joins UNC, Florida State, Penn State, Pittsburgh, BYU, and Memphis as the 7 programs to reach the last 2 Sweet 16s
THROW-INS
10th -The coaching staff of Scott Junpier, P.J. Woolridge, and Danielle de Seriere enter their 10th season together with 86 wins
5th -UCI reached the NCAA Tournament for a 5th time in 2023 with a 6-4-2 all-time record and 4-0-1 in the First Round
COUNTER ATTACKS
101 -In program history, 101 Anteaters have played in 50+ career matches with three 'Eaters on track to reach it in 2024
3 -The Anteaters took home a Big West 3-peat, the third in Big West history going
7-0-1 in Big West Championship matches
·The Anteaters leading the way into the 2024 season begin with returning award winner Kiera Smeenge who is back after scoring All-Big West First Team a year ago. Emilie Castagna is back after claiming the Big West Championship MVP, she and returner Laila El Behery also claimed last season's only Big West weekly honors. Mihaela Perez is also back on defense after National Team of the Week recognition in the postseason.
·UCI a year ago scored 29 goals in 24 matches and earned 95 points. This season, it returns over 50% of their scoring and minutes played with 4-goal getters Castagna and El Behery leading the way. Savanna Arruda and power conference transfer, Ashley Naylor, present the most experience in net taking the place of prolific netminder Glo Hinojosa.
·UC Irvine became the second team to ever upset a 1-seed in the NCAA First Round joining USC who did it to Santa Clara in 2006, and this UC Irvine team is the only one to ever reach the Sweet Sixteen after upsetting a 1-seed in the First Round of the NCAA Championship
·The Big West announced the preseason coaches' poll and preseason coaches' team earlier in the week with Anteaters representing. The lone fifth-year seniors Desiree Mendoza at forward and Kiera Smeenge at defender were on the team as UCI was 1 of 4 schools to have multiple players represented. The preseason poll had the squad slotted to finish fourth with no first-place votes as they were all given to the top three in the poll (LBSU, CSF, CP)
·A new rule in the fold - substitution rules in the final five minutes of regulation adjusted where the clock would stop when the winning team made any subs. In 2024, that window will now be the final 15 minutes of regulation, and the clock will stop if the winning team subs or in a tie
·UC Irvine and Saint Mary's meet for the 13th time with the Gaels holding an 8-3-2 edge. Coach Juniper's squads are 2-2 against Saint Mary's winning last year and in 2016. UCI also won a 2021 exhibition up in Moraga. The last regular season trip to Moraga came back in 2005, an overtime loss.
·The 2023 season opener in Irvine began with a Gael 11th-minute goal. Despite the Gaels taking the edge in shots, 8-6, the 'Eaters roared back with goals from Emilie Castagna in the 53rd minute and Mirayah Villalpando, the game-winner and the first of her career in the 72nd.
·The Gaels are coming off a 10-5-3 season which includes a win over a ranked Washington State squad and a win over the Gonzaga team UCI met up with in NCAAs. The 2024 Gaels return their three top-scorers and All-WCC honorees, Savannah Schwarze, Briana Salvetti, and Sydney Middaugh.
·The 'Eaters and Cardinal matchup for a second straight season after a one-goal loss in Anteater Stadium. UCI has never beaten Stanford also falling, 2-0, at Stanford in 2011, and by the same score in 2006. UCI does have a scoreless draw with Stanford back in 1988 in a home match
·UCI came out flying in the 2023 matchup scoring in the fifth minute as Erin Covey volleyed home a corner. The Cardinal tied things in the eighth minute before netting the winner in the 62nd.
·The Cardinal were the 2023 national runners-up going 20-1-4 and begin 2024 ranked No. 2. All-Americans Jasmine Aikey and Elise Evans return to the roster along with six other All-Pac-12 honorees and bring in three student-athletes that were named Gatorade Player of the Year in their state.
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