SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Aug. 17, 2023) – The UC Santa Barbara women's soccer team opened the 2023 regular season with a win at Harder Stadium Thursday night.
 
Olivia Howard and Leila Emmerson produced two goals for the Gauchos, while Sabrina Hinz earned a shutout as UC Santa Barbara blanked Loyola Marymount 2-0 in Thursday's regular season home opener at Harder Stadium.
 
"The girls did a very good job overall. They executed the game plan we set in place," said Head Coach Paul Stumpf. "We were able to mix up our attack and also defended very well."
 
Howard, a freshman opened up the scoring in the 45th minute, finding the back of the net with just one second left on the clock before halftime. Howard would also earn an assist on the second goal of the game making her presence known.
 
"Olivia's impact was clear," stated Stumpf. "She made some really smart and well-timed runs behind the defense. One resulted in a goal and the other led to an assist."
 
Emmerson extended the Gaucho lead after scoring on a header in the 50th minute. Anna Pitt and Olivia Howard earned a double assist on the play.
 
In her first start as a Gaucho, Sabrina Hinz recorded a clean sheet showing poise and excellent decision-making in goal. The junior goalkeeper recorded three saves and kept the Lions off the scoreboard to earn her first win in the Blue and Gold.
 
UC Santa Barbara will travel to San Jose, Calif. to take on San Jose State on Sunday, Aug. 20. The match is set to begin at 12:00 p.m. (noon). For those unable to attend the game will be streamed through the Mountain West Network with live stats available through sjsuspartans.com.