Box Score LONG BEACH, Calif. – Senior forward Claire Grouwinkel was the hero for the UC Santa Barbara women's soccer team on Sunday afternoon, with her goal inside the final minute of play completing the comeback from a goal down against Long Beach State and helping the Gauchos clinch the final spot in the Big West Tournament with a 2-1 win at George Allen Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Long Beach State scored the opening goal in the 17th minute through Kaitlin Fregulia on an assist from Maddy Perez.
- The equalizer wouldn't come until the 70th minute for the Gauchos, when senior center back Emma Vanderhyden connected with freshman midfielder O'Callahan Liu for the latter's first goal of her season and career.
- The Gauchos pushed forward for the second goal in what was a tense final 20 minutes with the do-or-die stipulation hanging over both teams' heads. Finally, junior midfielder Lindsey Porter slipped in a ball to Grouwinkel, who found the finish with just 51 seconds left in regulation to stun Long Beach State and take the Beach's spot in next week's Big West Tournament.
NOTABLE
- With the win, the Gauchos are the fourth seed in the Big West Tournament.
- UCSB earns a spot in the Big West Tournament for the third season in a row.
- The Gauchos outshot Long Beach State 18-10, logging a season-high nine shots on target to the Beach's three.
- Porter led the way with five shots and four on target.
UP NEXT
- The Gauchos will take on first-seeded UC Irvine at Anteater Field on Wednesday. Kickoff time is yet to be announced, but the game will be streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available on StatBroadcast. If the Gauchos advance, they will play in the Big West Tournament Final at the same venue on Sunday.
Install the new UCSB Gaucho Gameday app on your smartphone for exclusive UCSB coverage all season long. Now available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
UCSB is moving to mobile ticketing beginning this season. For more information, click here.
