Box Score SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Two clinical finishes on well-timed and perfectly-serviced runs saw Finn Ballard McBride move into sole possession of No. 10 all-time for career goals at UCSB, as the Gaucho men's soccer team defeated Sacramento State 2-0 on the road Wednesday afternoon.
Santa Barbara continues to own the Big West's top overall and conference marks at 8-2-4, 3-0-2. The Hornets fall to 6-6-2 overall, 1-4 conference.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Coming off back-to-back scoreless draws last week, the Gauchos remained solid on the defensive end once again, earning their fifth straight shutout. However, this time they would find their mark on the offensive side of the ball as well.
UCSB 1, Sac St. 0 – Ballard McBride 30' (L. Gonzalez)
Nearly one-third of the way through the match, the Gauchos threatened to open the scoring. They earned five first half corner kicks and kept their numbers forward, nearly scoring on a header by Ballard McBride that went just right of the post in the 29th minute. A minute later, the outside foot of redshirt sophomore midfielder Lucas Gonzalez found Ballard McBride making a run into the box and he calmly tucked it past Sac St. goalkeeper Mac Learned for his team-leading seventh goal of the season.
Junior goalkeeper Leroy Zeller was called upon to make two saves, one to end the opening 45 minutes of play and one to start the second half. The second save was the more impressive of the two, as he took care of a low shot to the near post that required a reflexive full stretch of the right leg to keep out.
UCSB 2, Sac St. 0 – Ballard McBride 69' (S. Fletcher)
Ballard McBride would help put the game away with his second goal in the 69th minute. Senior midfielder Sam Fletcher cruised over to a loose ball in the right midfield and picked his head up, taking note of Ballard McBride's positioning in the middle of the Hornets' back line. Right as Fletcher sent the ball forward, Ballard McBride took off, having plenty of time to take a bouncing ball off his chest and coolly place a shot inside the left post as if he was on the practice field.
The goal would be the last of the day, giving the Sydney, Australia native his second brace in 11 days.
NOTABLE
- Ballard McBride has now found the back of the net 26 times while wearing a Gaucho uinform, moving him past Steve Pollock for No. 10 all-time at UCSB.
- The connection between the Gauchos' leading goal scorer and his teammate Lucas Gonzalez has been palpable this season. Gonzalez ranks near the top of the conference and leads UCSB with five assists this season, three of which have gone to Ballard McBride.
- This marks the fourth time that UCSB has shut out five straight opponents during the Tim Vom Steeg era (since 1999). The Gauchos did it to open the 2004 season and accomplished the feat twice over a 12-game span during their 2009 campaign.
- Fletcher earned the first assist of his Gaucho career on UCSB's second and final goal of the day. The 2021 All-Big West Second Team selection was making his 35th career start and 56th appearance with the Gauchos on Wednesday.
NEXT UP
Santa Barbara will remain on the road this Saturday for a 7:00 p.m. meeting at UC Irvine.
