UCI Losing Rigamat, 2 Others From Women’s Soccer Team

Stephanie Rigamat, the top returning player on the UC Irvine women’s soccer team, is one of three Anteater players who will not return next season, according to Coach Marine Cano.

Allison Marra and Kristie Nakamura also are leaving.

Rigamat, a sophomore striker, declined to say why she was leaving. She did say she intended to transfer and play at another school. She must sit out one season before being eligible to play.

Rigamat’s departure significantly hurts the Anteaters, who now must replace their top two scorers. Senior Nicole Bucciarelli led the team with 14 goals. Rigamat was second with 13 goals.

Marra, a freshman striker, and Nakamura, a sophomore midfielder, were key reserves.

“It was their choice, not mine,” Cano said. “At Irvine, it is very hard academically and the women’s soccer program is very structured in terms of conditioning and commitment year round. Not being fully funded sometimes has something to do with that. UCI is not for everyone.”

Irvine finished 14-3-3 and second in the Big West Conference, but did not receive an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament. Rigamat was named first-team all-conference.