RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Sept. 19, 2023) — It was another tough road trip for the UC Santa Barbara Men's Soccer team (4-4) on Tuesday night, as they not only lost the match, 3-0, to California Baptist (2-4-1) but also lost
Lucas Gonzalez to a leg injury. The Gauchos' captain left the match in the eighth minute and did not return.
FROM HEAD COACH TIM VOM STEEG
"Disappointing night all around and the injury to Lucas set the tone," Vom Steeg said. "We won't know the full extent of the injury until we get some results back, but it's not good."
HOW IT HAPPENED
The match began as an even, back-and-forth exchange, with both teams forcing saves from the opposing goalkeepers within the first 10 minutes, and it continued as such for a time after Gonzalez departed. However, as the first half progressed, CBU grabbed more of the momentum, and by the time the halftime whistle sounded, the Lancers had out-shot the Gauchos, 9-3. However, only one of those CBU attempts had actually troubled
Leroy Zeller in the Santa Barbara goal.
The hosts put more shots on target in the second half, finding the back of the net three times in 12 minutes, scoring in the 52
nd, 60
th, and 64
th. The Gauchos did have a chance to get a goal back in the 68
th minute, as
David Danquah's nimble dribbling forced his defender into a bad tackle in the penalty area, earning Santa Barbara a penalty kick.
Alexis Ledoux fired it low toward the corner, but the Lancers' goalkeeper guessed the right direction and made the save. That was the Gauchos' last shot on target of the night.
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara returns to the friendly confines of Harder Stadium for their next match, their first of two meetings with Cal Poly this season on Saturday, September 23. This first round of the Blue-Green Rivalry is a regular-season fixture, but it will not affect The Big West standings. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Harder Stadium, and fans can also catch the action live on ESPN+. Live stats will be available through ucsbgauchos.com.
