Anteaters trying to build off last season’s success

The UC Irvine men’s soccer team had a stellar season in 2009. The Anteaters (15-7) reached the second round of the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Championship and tied the school record with 15 wins, matching their win total from 2008.

Now UCI will try to build off that success.

UCI Coach George Kuntz announced the team’s 2010 schedule Tuesday and highlighted a challenging nonconference schedule to prepare the team for Big West Conference play.

The schedule features a pair nonconference games against NCAA Tournament teams from 2009, along with tournaments in Las Vegas and San Diego.

The Anteaters open the season at home against Gonzaga Sept. 1 and then play host to the 2010 UC Irvine College Classic with matches against Wisconsin and Loyola (Ill.) with Santa Clara the fourth team in the tournament.

UCI heads to the San Diego State campus to play in the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Central Tournament against Oakland and Air Force. UCI then heads north to face 2009 NCAA Tournament participant Sacramento State September 19.

The Anteaters conclude their road trip at the UNLV Rebel Classic September 24-26 with matches against Cal State Bakersfield and host UNLV. Big West Conference play starts Sept. 29 as UCI hosts UC Riverside.

The team will conclude their nonconference schedule in Des Moines, Iowa as they face 2009 NCAA Tournament regional finalist Drake Oct. 2.

The Big West season gets into full swing the following week as UCI heads to Davis to face UC Davis Oct. 6.

The Big West Tournament will be Nov. 10 and Nov. 13 at sites to be determined.

— From staff reports

U.S. men open with win

The USA men’s national team opened the FINA World Cup with a 10-6 win over China behind two goals from Tim Hutten, a UC Irvine product.

Thomas Hopkins and and Michael Sharf also scored two goals each.

Merrill Moses and Andy Stevens combined in the cage for 14 saves. Team USA meets Serbia today, and then Croatia on Thursday to close out group play.

Ryan Bailey, also a former UCI standout, scored a goal,

“It was a good opener to get on a winning track,” said USA Head Coach Terry Schroeder. “We played well with a lot of opportunities, we just need to put the ball on the net. We have a big game against Serbia [today].”

— From staff reports

UCI’s Makabe named to scholar team

Recent UC Irvine women’s golf graduate Mariko Makabe was named to the National Golf Coaches Assn. All-American Scholar Team.

Makabe was one of 494 women’s collegiate athletes to be recognized with this honor. The criteria for the award included a cumulative GPA of 3.50 as well as having competed in 50% of the team’s rounds during the 2010 season.

Makabe, who was a four-time UCI/Big West Scholar-Athlete, graduated in June with degrees in environmental analysis and design and social ecology. She was also a two-time Spring Academic All-Big West Conference honoree.

— From staff reports

CdM alumni tourney

Corona del Mar High will hold its 22nd annual Jack Errion Memorial alumni basketball tournament Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m. in the boys’ and girls’ basketball gyms at the school.

There will also be a silent auction to raise funds for the basketball program. The championship game is expected to take place at approximately 3:30 p.m.

For information, contact tournament director Rob Hess at rhess@bargerwolen.com.

— From staff reports

Newport alumni tourney

The 10th annual Newport Harbor High basketball alumni tournament is set for Saturday at the school’s main gym.

Check-in is at 8:00 am and the games are expected to tip-off at 9:00 am.

The entry fee is $25 per player and includes a commemorative t-shirt.

For information contact tournament director Jaime Holmes at (714) 915-2252.

— From staff reports