LAS VEGAS, Nev. - In its opening match of the 2011 season, the UC Santa Barbara women's soccer team battled Idaho to a 1-1 tie at UNLV's Rebel Classic on Friday.
Senior midfielder Cory Yoshida scored an unassisted goal in the 17th minute to give UCSB a 1-0 lead over Vandals. Yoshida, a senior captain, did not score a goal during her junior season, but made the most of her start in the first game of the 2011 campaign.
Idaho, a former Big West opponent, tied the score less than two minutes after Yoshida gave the Gauchos a 1-0 lead. Jill Flockhart took a through-ball from Erica Hart and sled a shot past Santa Barbara goalkeeper Makenna Henry.
The Gauchos dominated the rest of the way, but could not score a goal. UCSB wound up out-shooting Idaho by a 29-7 count. In the second half and overtime the margin was 17-2, but they were unable to put-home the game-winner.
While she didn't score, UCSB's Dyanne Anderson, a transfer from Rancho Santiago College, had nine shot overall, including six on goal. Vandal goalkeeper Liz Boyden, however, was up to the task as she deflected all but one shot.
Santa Barbara will remain at UNLV for one more game. The Gauchos will play the host Rebels in the heat on Sunday in a match that will begin at 1:00 pm. UCSB will open its home schedule against West Coast Conference power Santa Clara at 7:00 pm on Friday, Aug. 26 at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium.
The UCSB men's team will open the season on Saturday when it hosts Westmont College in the annual Bryant and Sons Cup. Every season ticket for the men's team means a season ticket for women's games. For information, please call 805-893-UCSB, go to the Ticket Office in the Intercollegiate Athletics Building on campus, or click here.