BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Women's Soccer team moved a point closer to first place in The Big West after recording a 1-1 draw Thursday night. A Devin Greer penalty kick goal was followed up in the 78th minute by the Roadrunners to earn the 1-1 draw.
FROM HEAD COACH PAUL STUMPF
"Overall I am pretty pleased with the performance," said Stumpf. "We played well, created some good looks at the goal in the first half, but better finishing was needed tonight. We have to be better when the game gets a bit direct moving forward."
HOW IT HAPPENED
Bakersfield got on the early attack taking their first shot of the match just 31 seconds into the contest. Maddie Buckley was up to the task early on though making a diving save on the ball. From there the match would be played in much of the midfield.
One of the best scoring opportunities came when the Gauchos were fouled just outside the box. Santa Barbara was rewarded with a free kick that was sent into the box but quickly was cleared by the Roadrunners.
After the clear, Cal State Bakersfield was quick to counter and almost caught Buckley out of position. Fortunately for the Blue and Gold, the shot sailed over the goal. On the ensuing possession Ava Dermott had a clean look at the goal and would have beat the keeper, but the ball ricocheted off the crossbar leaving the Gauchos empty.
Out of the half, the Gauchos came out and put the pressure on Bakersfield. Just three minutes into the second half the Roadrunners fouled the Gauchos in the penalty area. UC Santa Barbara was awarded a penalty kick. Devin Greer stepped up to the penalty spot and beat the keeper high and right to put the Gauchos on top 1-0 in the 48th minute.
The Blue and Gold kept the pressure up as
Emily Caughey and
Chayse Yu each took a shot on target forcing the Roadrunner keeper to make back-to-back saves. Bakersfield came close to tying the game with three corners and a couple looks that went by the way side on their following possession.
In the 75th minute the Gauchos got back on the attack and
Gia Cimring fired a shot just inside the box that narrowly missed the back post. On the very next Bakersfield possession the Roadrunners capitalized on a corner kick. After failing to clear the ball after it landed, a CSUB attacker headed the ball just past an outstretched Buckley to tie the game in the 78th minute.
Each team defensively held tough the remainder of the way as the Gauchos and Roadrunners ended in a 1-1 draw.
POSTSEASON IMPLICATIONS
With the draw the Gauchos earned a point and move to 4-0-3 (15 points) in The Big West. Santa Barbara remains in sole place of second place in The Big West standings and sit two points back of Hawai'i for first place.
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will play their third and final match of a three-game road trip on Sunday, Oct. 20 as they travel to Northridge, California. The Gauchos and Matadors will kickoff at 7Â p.m. Sunday evening. For those unable to attend, the match will be streamed through ESPN+.
