RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The UC Santa Barbara Women's Soccer team earned a draw against the UC Riverside Highlanders, Sunday afternoon. After going down by a goal just before halftime, the Gauchos fought back to take a 2-1 lead in the second half. An 89th minute equalizer by the Highlanders pushed the game to ultimately end in a draw.
FROM HEAD COACH PAUL STUMPF
Obviously we are disappointed about giving up goals late in each half," said Stumpf. "But we were pleased with the quality of play and effort here in Riverside. It is a tough place to play with the heat and on turf. It was nice to see us come from behind to take a lead and was extremely pleased with how we finally created a couple penalty kicks for ourselves. We are going to be getting a few important players back for next weeks games."
HOW IT HAPPENED
It looked to be all Gauchos from the jump. In the first 15 minutes of play, Santa Barbara fired four shots and were awarded three corner kicks. Unfortunately they were unable to convert in the opening minutes.
Throughout a majority of the half the Gauchos and Highlanders traded scoring chances on each possession but neither side was able to breakthrough. As the half started to wind down the Gauchos were awarded a penalty kick in the 43rd minute. Emma Corcoran was looking weave by a couple UC Riverside defenders when she was tripped up in the box.
Jessica Carlton stepped up to take the PK and shot the ball low and right. The Riverside keeper sprawled out and guessed correctly to make the save and keep the game scoreless. On the ensuing possession the Highlanders made their way down the field and were awarded a free kick with 10 seconds left just beyond midfield. UCR kicked the ball into the box where it pinballed around for a bit, but ultimately finding the back of the net with just four second left in the half.Â
Out of halftime, UC Santa Barbara had a new demeanor about themselves and struck quickly. Just two minutes into the half the Gauchos were awarded a corner kick. Emily Caughey sent a ball to the back post, where Olivia Howard corralled the ball and flicked it to Ava Dermott. The freshman fired a shot over the goalkeeper and found the back of the net for her first career goal.
In the 68th minute UC Santa Barbara was on the attack again. A pass into the penalty box fromÂ
Haley Phillips to
Chayse Yu, who won a race to the ball with Riverside keeper, was fouled and the Gauchos were awarded another penalty kick opportunity.
Samantha Christie stepped up to take the PK and drilled it to put the Gauchos up 2-1.
As the Gauchos looked to keep possession and extend their win streak to four matches, UC Riverside had other ideas. A Highlander attacker danced around a few Gaucho defenders, took a shot that was blocked, regained possession and netted the equalizer in the 89th minute. The 2-2 score held until the final whistle.
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will return home for their next two matches. The first will take place on Thursday, Oct. 3 when they host Long Beach State at 6 p.m. at Harder Stadium. For those unable to attend, the match will be streamed through ESPN+.
