IRVINE, Calif. --- The UC Irvine Anteaters scored once before the break and added two more goals in the second half to prevail 3-0 over the Portland Pilots in a non-conference women's soccer game played on Monday night at Anteater Stadium. The loss gives the Pilots a split during their weekend trip to California.
 
Kiana Palacios handed the Anteaters (1-1-1) a 1-0 lead when she found the back of the net in the 21st minute. Jonnae Joseph lifted a ball into the box, Noel Baham flicked it on, and Palacios was there to hit a volley into the upper left corner of the frame for her first goal of the season.
 
"A dose of revenge was served up to us tonight after last year's OT win by the Pilots," said Portland head coach Garrett Smith. "A hungry and seemingly frustrated UC Irvine came out very aggressive and direct, which caused us problems right from the opening whistle. Down 1-0 at the half after some gritty defensive efforts from our back four making last-ditch tackles, with Rachel Lusby coming up with some tremendous saves to keep us close, and giving us a chance to regroup."
 
The Pilots (2-2-0) searched for the equalizer after the half, and in the 63rd minute Larkin Russell hit a shot towards the left post from just outside the box. But UC Irvine's keeper Maddie Newsome was there to make the save, preserving the 1-0 lead.
 
Moments later Baham would score a goal of her own on a counter in the 65th minute to push the UC Irvine lead to 2-0. After the Pilots were in control of possession, Baham took advantage of a turnover and chipped one that was just out of the reach of Portland goalkeeper Rachel Lusby, giving the home side a two-goal cushion. The goal is the first of the season for Baham.
 
"The second half started with an equal game with UP showing some composure and adapting to the game at hand," added Smith.  "At the 50-minute mark we were playing our best, forcing the game into their 18-yard box only to get hit by a long ball over the top. We didn't deal with a bouncing ball back to our goalkeeper well, leaving Rachel Lusby in an impossible situation. Even from there our team showed some positive signs and moments of composure to find further attacks, but in the end the deficit was too big and the tone of the game had been established."
 
Portland's Rylee Seekins tried to pull one back in the 71st minute, but she dragged a shot wide.
 
Then in the 78th minute, Palacios produced her second goal of the night on a header. Reema Bzeih sent in the initial corner, which was controlled by Kelsee Pottorff. Portorff then delivered a cross, and Palacio finished with a header inside the near post.
 
"Our team learned a tough lesson tonight, but we take away another lesson learned from another style of play, and we'll learn from the mistakes we made and learn to deal with the next opponent better," Smith said. "With as young team as we are, experience can only come from playing the game on the field day-by-day growing as we are."
 
The Pilots remain on the road next weekend when they travel to Seattle, Wash., for the Husky Nike Invitational. Portland will first face New Mexico on Friday at 5 p.m. at Husky Soccer Stadium. Sunday brings a match with No. 8 Florida at 6 p.m.