SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (Sept. 7, 2023) - The UC Santa Barbara Women's Soccer team began their four-match home stand with a tie against West Coast Conference opponent San Francisco.

"We continue to be please with the teams performance," Stumpf said. "We are still trying to unlock the puzzle of scoring at least one more than our opponets."

The Gauchos' offense was excited to be home and started fast in their first game back at Harder Stadium since Aug. 22. UC Santa Barbara ripped four shots in the first 14 minutes of play with two shots nearly giving them the early lead. Lauren Helwig missed just wide after a cross found her on the back post. Shortly after Haley Phillips took a shot but the San Francisco keeper had other plans and was able to make the stop. 

The remainder of the first half was played pretty evenly with neither team finding the back of the net in the first half and the teams went to halftime deadlocked at zero.

The second half began with the same energy the teams ended the first half with, but a couple of early substitutions by both sides quickly changed the momentum and pace of the match. After the substitutions in the 61st minute, Lauren Helwig was tripped inside the 18-yard box and was awarded a penalty kick. The junior stepped up and scored her third penalty-kick goal of the season. What should have resulted in the Gauchos taking over the momentum was quickly changed as USF took control of the ball and created a chance in the 75th minute. 

The Dons got a shot off just outside the middle of the 18-yard box and beat Taylor Little low and to the right to tie the game. 

"We were very happy for Taylor and she performed well considering the situation," explained Stumpf. "USF gave her lots of pressure and she dealt with some though crosses and came off her line well. The goal against was a bit unfortunate with the ball beind deflected in."

With a lot of tired legs on the field, the game quickly moved up and down the field with each team getting a good look or chance to score on their possessions. Neither team was able to net the decisive goal and the Dons and Gauchos ended with a draw.

UC Santa Barbara will be back in action on Sunday, Sept. 10 as they host Idaho at Harder Stadium. The game is a part of their community outreach program as the Gauchos will host an AYSO Team Parada at halftime. AYSO Participants will show off their team pride with team banners at halftime.