MANOA, Hawai'i - The UC Santa Barbara Women's Soccer team snapped a 15-year Championship drought Sunday afternoon after defeating Cal State Bakersfield in The Big West Championship Final. The match could not be decided in either regulation or extra time, but the Gauchos won in a penalty kick shootout 8-7.
FROM HEAD COACH PAUL STUMPF
"Obviously it did not start very well for us, but we got that goal goal back and then took the lead in the second half on a nice goal," said Stumpf. "I am so proud of our program and filed with gratitude with the commitment level, qualities, and characters of these young women.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Bakersfield gained the early advantage after the opening kickoff scoring in the fourth minute. A cross into the box went passed a couple of Gaucho defenders and a Bakersfield attacker beat Maddie Beckley in net.
After the goal the Gauchos went to work and were awarded a few corner kicks and also got some clean shot off but nothing was able to find the back of the net. After a few substitutions on both side, the Gauchos kept up their attack. O'Callaghan Liu found Devin Greer on the right side of the penalty area where she made a few moves, turned and ripped a shot to the low left side leaving the Bakersfield goalkeeper stunned.
After the Greer goal in the 36th minute the teams played the remainder of the half in the middle of the field. Neither side was able to break through again in the first 45 minutes.
Out of the intermission, it was all Gauchos. In the 51st minute Greer found the back of the net for the second time.
Zoe Franks found
Olivia Howard on the right side of the box, who, with one touch, passed it to Greer who tapped it in for the Gauchos. The goal put the Blue and Gold up 2-1.
10 minutes after the Gaucho goal, Bakersfield responded with a goal of their own to level the game at two a side. As regulation continued on both sides had multiple opportunities to score but both keepers were up to the challenge. Both keepers made multiple saves keeping both teams dead locked at two.
The match remained level through regulation and ultimately went to two overtime periods. A long distance shot by Greer in the first overtime nearly ended the game but the Bakersfield goalkeeper made a great save to continue the match.
Neither side scored in the first overtime as the match continued on to double overtime. The Gauchos dominated the period maintaining most of the possession and being awarded three corner kicks. They also took two shots but could not find the target as extra time finished the match remained 2-2.
With the match being tied after 110 minutes, the Gauchos and Roadrunners went to a penalty shootout. Both sides made their first two shots, but on the third UC Santa Barbara missed, giving the 'Runners an advantage. After the next penalty takers made their shots on both sides, Bakersfield still held an advantage. On the next Bakersfield attempt,
Maddie Buckley made an epic save to keep the Gauchos hopes alive.
After the
O'Callaghan Liu buried her shot to continue the penalty shootout, the match went one-for-one. It took nine penalty takers in total to find a winner but another massive save by Buckley,
Haley Phillips punched the Gauchos ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
FROM THE FRESHMAN FORWARD DEVIN GREER
On her postseason scoring run: "My mentality stays the same game-by-game," said Greer. "I go out there and try my best for the team and try to put pressure on the opposition. It was a successful tournament and I am excited for the NCAA Championships."
FROM JUNIOR DEFENDER SOFIE RODRIGUEZ
On winning the Big West Championship Final: "It was a really intense match and I am still a little jittery, but I am so proud of all my teammates and how we handled that match," Sid Rodriguez. "Everyone showed so much composure in the penalty kicks."
UP NEXT
The Gauchos will await their destination for the NCAA Tournament. The NCAA selection show will take place tomorrow, Monday, Nov. 11 at 1 p.m. (PT) The selection show will be broadcast live on NCAA.com.
