Loyola Marymount has given UCSB fits over the 10 years Tim Vom Steeg has coached the Gauchos.
The Lions were at it again on Sunday as they took a 1-0 lead in the 13th minute against the No. 7-ranked team in the nation. But senior Chris Pontius struck back with the equalizer two mintues later and the Gauchos added two goals in the second half to come away with a 3-1 victory in the final game of the LMU Tournament.
Martin Hedevag scored the game-winner in the 82nd minute off a Pontius assist and freshman Michael Tetteh tallied his first collegiate goal in the 87th, as Vom Steeg won his first match at LMU and the Gauchos improved to 3-0 on the season.
Sunday’s victory was Santa Barbara’s second straight against the Lions (they last played in 2006), who had been a thorn in their side.
UCSB started to feel that sharp pain again as it squandered several quality chances early and then saw LMU (1-1-2) capitalize on a turnover to take a 1-0 lead.
The Gauchos regrouped quickly and tallied the equalizer on a brilliant play by Pontius.The play started with Bryan Dominguez racing down the right side and crossing the ball to Pontius, who received it with his right foot and, without hesitation, popped it over goalkeeper Jack McCormack.
“Most forwards would try to take that ball down,” Vom Steeg said. “He got to the ball first and played it with his right foot. It was an unbelievable shot.”
Santa Barbara battled fatigue and a barrage of long balls from LMU in the second half.
“They were dumping balls in our box and we struggled possessing the ball,” Vom Steeg said. “We were as bad as we can get passing the ball.”
The Gaucho coach said a few players were worn out from Friday night’s Kentucky match, and he cited the years of bad luck his teams have experienced against the Lions.
“It was like a lot of games at Loyola; you just have to figure out a way to win the game,” said Vom Steeg.
On Sunday, the coach went to his bench heavily, subbing in nine players who saw little or no action against Kentucky. At one juncture, he had seven freshmen on the field.
“At that point, the game turned around for us,” Vom Steeg said.
Pontius used his toughness and speed to set up the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute.He beat one LMU defender to win possession, dribbled past two more and laid the ball off for Hedevag, who scored easily.
“He literally beat everyone,” said Vom Steeg of Pontius, who also assisted on Tetteh’s goal.
Tetteh, who was moved up from central defender to left halfback, scored on a 25-yard blast that tore into the goal’s side netting.
That goal put an exclamation point on the victory.
UCSB will take their longest road trip of the season this weekend as they head to the East Coast to play at Rutgers and Columbia. Columbia is coached by former UCSB assistant Leo Chappel.
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 13:09 LMU JOHANSON, Kyle (1) STISSER, Brad; DELANEY, Jawaan right shot into lower left corner
2. 15:30 UCSB Pontius, Chris (3) Dominguez, Bryan chip over goalie
3. 82:36 UCSB Hedevag, Martin (1) Pontius, Chris counter attack right side 12 yards
4. 87:09 UCSB Tetteh, Michael (1) (unassisted) counter attack 23 yards
