IRVINE, Calif. ? Playing its fourth road match in eight days, the CSUB men's soccer team nearly gave No. 23 nationally ranked UC Irvine its first blemish of the season, but were ultimately unable to upset in a 2-1 loss at Anteater Stadium Friday.

The Roadrunners opened the match with good pace and ball control, playing off the Anteaters' poor first touch. In the 21 minute, Oscar Coppieters received a ball in the central midfield and carried it to the top of the box. Stopped by Irvine's defensive line, he dropped the ball back to an approaching Matt Shaxton. Shaxton paused with the ball just inside the box and when no Anteater defender picked him up, he sent a left-footed chipped shot over the head of keeper Andrew Fontein.

Irvine (7-0-2 overall) picked up its play as the half wound down, responding with a pair of goals in the final six minutes.

At the 39:04 mark, Spencer Thompson was able to beat the ?Runner defense on the right side of the box, turning the corner and slotting a pass to the penalty kick area where Matt Murphy drove a low shot past a diving Steve Trojanowski and into the right corner of the net.

Less than two minutes later, the Anteaters were rewarded a throw in on the right side. Gray Bailey hurled a long throw acorss the top of the box where Brett Berman one-touched a low shot into the left corner of the net.

Bakersfield kept the Anteaters at bay for the second period, and continued to press forward, but was unable to find the back of the net.

UC Irvine finished with a 14-8 shot advantage, though each team recorded just two shots on goal.

The ?Runners (2-8-0 overall) play on their home turf for the first time this season Sunday, hosting San Jose State. The 1 p.m. kickoff will follow the women's match against Seattle on the CSUB Main Soccer Field.