SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara men's soccer team beat San Diego 7-1 in the season opener for both teams on Thursday night at Harder Stadium, setting a record for most goals scored in a regular season contest in the Vom Steeg era.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• San Diego defender Jake Schneider was the benefactor of a cross whipped in by teammate Nicklas Clausen, scoring the game's opening goal in just the third minute of play.
• It didn't take long for the Gauchos to get back on level terms, as less than 90 seconds later senior centerback Carson Vom Steeg rose above all challengers in the box to get on the end of a Diran Bebekian cross.
• A handball was called on San Diego defender Alex Churness inside the penalty area, allowing for junior forward Thaabit Baartman to put the Gauchos in front for the first time in the 2021 season on a calm spot-kick into the far left side of the net in the 12th minute.
• Minutes later, junior centerback Henry Davies hoofed a ball towards sophomore attacker Finn Ballard McBride, who latched onto it and slotted it past the Toreros' goalkeeper to put UCSB up 3-1.
• Junior forward Diran Bebekian launched a screamer into the top-right corner of goal in the 35th minute to extend the Gauchos' lead to 4-1.
• Freshman forward Rene Pacheco added a fifth goal to UCSB's tally when he won a battle for the ball along the endline and shifted into the six-yard box to sidefoot the ball into the left side of the net in the 41st minute.
• Senior forward Ameyawu Muntari scored back-to-back goals in the 66th and 73rd minutes, first dancing around a USD defender in the penalty area before thumping it into the roof of the net on the right side of goal. The Ghanaian forward scored the hosts' seventh and final goal of the night on a free kick that he fired into the top left corner.

QUOTABLE

• "We have to fall into the rhythm of the season where it's going to be Wednesday-Saturday, Thursday-Sunday - that's the season. We always talk about the first game on the weekend being huge, because that gives you the momentum to have a good weekend." - UCSB head coach Tim Vom Steeg

NOTABLE

• UCSB's seven goals scored in tonight's contest are the most in a regular season game in the Tim Vom Steeg era, now entering its 23rd season. The Gauchos defeated Westmont 7-0 in 2019, but it was in an exhibition contest.
• The seven goals are the most in a single game since the Gauchos defeated Menlo College 13-0 in 1998.

NEXT UP

• The Gauchos take on Cal on Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. A live stream and live stats will be available on UCSBGauchos.com.

Season tickets are currently on sale for the 2021 men's soccer campaign at UCSBGauchos.com.

UCSB is moving to mobile ticketing beginning this season. For more information, click here.