Men’s Soccer Defeats UC Irvine, 2-1

Saturday, September 5

Irvine, Calif.

8:00 p.m.

Missouri State University

4-0-0, 0-0-0

UC Irvine

2-1-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Missouri St.	1	1	2
UC Irvine	1	0	1

Men’s Soccer Defeats UC Irvine, 2-1

September 05, 2026 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Teodora Jovic

IRVINE, Calif. - Missouri State men's soccer (4-0-0) completed the comeback against UC Irvine (2-1-1), scoring two goals after a one-goal deficit early in the first half on Saturday night.

"An amazing win for the Bears and a huge statement of what it means to be a team," exclaimed head coach Michael Seabolt.

"So many people have been amazing these last few days in Springfield, at Mercy Hospital, and in California including the coaches, the players, and the administration. Friends of Missouri State soccer, friends of Missouri State y'all know who you are, everyone came together for this victory, and I couldn't be happier for the players and the coaches and everyone at Missouri State University. Go Bears!"

It was Mo State that started applying aggressive pressure early, with two shots recorded inside the first 20 minutes of play. However, in the 22nd minute, UC Irvine managed to find a way to score first with Ferran Duran finding the back of the net.

The Bears did not let that deter them, and just six minutes later freshman Ben Furlong and 5th year Diego Real created the perfect opportunity for senior Fionn Mooney, who placed the ball into the back of the net to equalize.

The Bears recorded two more shots in the first half but ultimately ended the first half tied at 1-1 on the scoreboard.

The second half kicked off with aggression and chances created on both sides of the pitch.

But the Bears were patient, and in the 81st minute junior Victor Wachowicz and once again Real assisted senior Kei Kinoshita with a wonderful goal that ultimately decided the match.

I'm feeling pretty great after the goal, and that I scored two goals in this season so I'm doing well in the striker position, but there is room for improvement especially from that first half, stated Kinoshita after the match.

Missouri State ended the night with 12 shots with four on goal, while the Anteaters registered 13 shots with six on goal. The Bears and the Anteaters both tallied five corner kicks. Mo State made five saves while UC Irvine made two.

I'm feeling really good about the result, the lads worked so hard to get it, said senior Jack Kehoe.

UC Irvine are a good team, and we just look at it as we worked really hard together and got the result in the end. It was a great performance from the boys.

The Bears are back home for their next match on Friday, Sept. 11 at 7:00 p.m. (CT) to compete against FIU at Betty & Bobby Allison South Stadium. Admission is free all season long.