UCSB soccer coach Tim Vom Steeg is not trying to figure out what has held the Gauchos back in their losses this year, because he already knows.
“It’s the same broken record. You have to convert your chances,” he said after UCSB’s 2-0 loss to visiting UC Davis in front of a crowd of 4,000 at Harder Stadium Saturday night.
The Gauchos had scored a goal in their past 31 matches, a streak that led the nation. Oddly, the Gauchos should have kept that streak alive after just a few minutes on Saturday, as star forward Chris Pontius had a one-on-one breakaway with Aggies goalkeeper Ryan McCowan but could not convert.
“I hate to look back on a play in the fifth minute, but that’s what it was,” said Vom Steeg.
Meanwhile, Aggie forward Quincy Armarikwa continued his impressive scoring output on the season, collecting his 11th and 12th goals. The second one — in the 48th minute — had jaws dropping all over the stadium.
Ian Conklin sent one in through the air from the right side, and Amarikwa pulled off a bicycle kick from 18 yards out that looked like it was straight out of a video game.
“A bike from the top of the 18… What are you gonna do?” said Vom Steeg with a shrug.
It was an important win for the Aggies, who are off to a 11-1-1 start and a 3-0-1 mark in the Big West.
“This is a big stepping stone,” said Amarikwa. “UCSB’s a big team and this is always a big game.”
His first goal came 17 minutes into the contest, when Gaucho goalie Kristopher Minton charged up on a ball but was beaten to it by Amarikwa, who went to the back of the net with it.
Pontius took seven of UCSB’s 14 shots. The Gauchos put six attempts on frame, while the Aggies had five of their 10 shots on the mark.
Vom Steeg said that he thought the Gauchos played fairly well, but that the early break-away miss and the misplay on Amarikwa’s first goal were enough to decide the match.
“That first goal wasn’t him. That was us, and in a league game you can’t give up goals,” he said.
The Gauchos (6-4-2, 1-1-1) play at home against UC Riverside on Tuesday night.
