IRVINE, Calif. — The University of California, Irvine women’s soccer team secured a 2-0 victory over Cal State Bakersfield in their first home conference match of the 2026 Big West season at Anteater Stadium on September 26.
UC Irvine took the lead early in the second half when midfielder Chifumi Sasaki scored her first game-winning goal of her career in the 47th minute. The goal came as Sasaki followed up on a rebound from a shot initially saved off a pass from defender Jasmyne Wheeler, marking Wheeler’s first career assist.
Midfielder and defender Mimi Yamamoto extended the advantage in the 62nd minute with her second consecutive goal, assisted by forward Fiona Shin. Shin now leads the team with six points on the season and is tied for the team lead in assists with two.
Goalkeeper Savanna Arruda made five saves to earn her third career win and fourth shutout. UC Irvine dominated key statistics with 15 shots compared to Cal State Bakersfield’s 12, including 11 corner kicks to Bakersfield’s two.
The victory improved UC Irvine’s overall record to 3-3-3 and 1-0-1 in Big West Conference play. It also marked their first home win against Cal State Bakersfield in the series, bringing their all-time record to 5-2-1.
Next, UC Irvine will host Utah Valley at 6 p.m. on September 30 at Anteater Stadium before visiting UC Riverside on October 3.
CSB Take
UC Irvine women’s soccer strengthened its position early in Big West play with a convincing 2-0 home win against Cal State Bakersfield. Key contributions from emerging players Chifumi Sasaki and Mimi Yamamoto highlight the team’s developing offensive capabilities, while Savanna Arruda’s strong goalkeeping anchored their defense. This performance lays a solid foundation as UC Irvine aims to continue building momentum in conference competition throughout the season.
Source: Original report
