UC Irvine Drops 10-9 Overtime Decision to Concordia

Nov. 8, 2009

IRVINE, Calif. --- Duje Grubisic scored with 1:24 left in the first overtime period and 10th-ranked Concordia held on to defeat No. 7 UC Irvine, 10-9, in a non-conference game at Anteater Pool Sunday night.

Grubisic scored the tying goal in regulation with 1:24 remaining in the fourth quarter to pull the Eagles even at 9-9.

UCI gained a power play with 33 seconds left but could not convert, sending the game into extra time.

The `Eaters (14-9) led 5-4 at halftime but Concordia's Caleb Hamilton scored three consecutive goals to put the Eagles up 7-5 with 3:12 left in the third quarter. UCI's Cole Bielskis scored with 33 seconds remaining in the third to pull UCI within 7-6.

James Frank scored at the 5:30 and 4:38 marks of the fourth quarter to put the `Eaters up 8-7 but Hamilton tied the game with 4:21 left.

UCI's Brandon Johnson scored with 2:31 remaining to give the `Eaters a 9-8 lead before Grubisic tied the contest.

Hamilton led Concordia (24-4) with a game-high five goals and goalie Martin Babovic recorded 14 saves.

Kyle Kruip scored three goals for UCI while Frank and Johnson added two each. Erik Evered had seven saves in goal.

UCI returns to Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action Saturday with a 12:00 p.m. game at UC Santa Barbara. The Anteaters' home finale is next Sunday against Pepperdine at 2:00 p.m.

Concordia   2 - 2 - 3 - 2 - 1 - 0 --- 10
UC Irvine    2 - 3 - 1 - 3 - 0 - 0 --- 9

Con: Caleb Hamilton 5, Jure Belamaric 2, Duje Grubisic 2, Milos Skaljac.

UCI: Kyle Kruip 3, James Frank 2, Brandon Johnson 2, Doug Lindsey, Cole Bielskis.

Saves: Martin Babovic (Con) 14; Erik Evered (UCI) 7.