SAN DIEGO  - Despite opportunities to take the lead from start to end, the UC Santa Barbara offense was unable to break through the Toreros ending in a 0-0 draw on Thursday evening.

FROM HEAD COACH PAUL STUMPF
"We had another solid performance," said Stumpf. "The team adjusted well to the new system we put in. It was unfortunate to not get a couple of goals in the first half, but a good performance by our merit to keep a clean sheet."

HOW IT HAPPENED
Momentum was on Santa Barbara's side as the first shots of the match came from the Gauchos' Emma Corcoran and Devin Greer with a blocked shot followed by a breakaway shot on goal, respectively. As the Toreros got their first offensive opportunity with a shot on target, Maddie Buckley grabbed the ball out of the air for her first save of the match.

Another opportunity for a goal came in the 25th minute; a shot from Isabella Ong with a quick cross from Chayse Yu ricocheted off the glove of San Diego's Ilse Medrano and out of bounds. Ava Jarolimek had a similar look five minutes later with a shot on target but was still unable to take the lead for the Gauchos.

The ball remained in even possession by both teams as half time approached. San Diego got two more shots off but was unsuccessful against the Santa Barbara defense as the match remained scoreless heading into the half.

As the second half commenced, both teams' offense went back on the attack, first with a shot from the Toreros. Santa Barbara's Gia Cimring took a one-touch shot off of a corner landing too high to be able to take the lead.

In the final 25 minutes, both teams vied for an opportunity to reach the back of the net with shots tied at six each for the match. Buckley made her second save of the night followed by quick defensive thinking by the Gauchos as Toreros got another shot off just a foot higher than the crossbar.

As San Diego remained on the attack, the Gaucho defense held steady during high-pressure moments in the box. Santa Barbara's Krysten Vasquez got an opportunity as her shot bounced off the top of the net, giving the Gauchos offensive momentum heading into the last 12 minutes. Chayse Yu took another chance at a goal with a shot in the 82nd minute that fell just wide.

The Toreros returned with offensive pressure as the clock counted down. With a diving save by Maddie Buckley in the 86th minute, the Gaucho defense continued to clear shots by San Diego. With neither team able to break through the other's defense, the score remained 0-0 to the end of the match.

UP NEXT
The Gauchos will take on the San Jose State Spartans at home at Harder Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 1. Kick off is set for 12 p.m. with streaming on ESPN+.