On Thursday night in Santa Barbara, the UCSB women’s soccer team battled back to tie 25th-ranked Michigan State, 1-1. On Sunday, the Gauchos were not as fortunate against a Big Ten opponent on the road, losing 3-0 at No. 11 Illinois.
The 11th-ranked Illini rebounded from a tough Friday night loss to No. 9 UCLA with the win, as the they defeated the Gauchos in the final match of the Illini Challenge Cup Presented by Gameday Spirit. Junior Jordan Hilbrands scored two goals to lead the Illini, while freshman Niki Read had a goal and an assist and sophomore Marissa Mykines had two assists.
Illinois outshot UCSB (1-3-1) 29-5, also owning a commanding 12-1 advantage in shots on goal. Hilbrands’ first goal came in the fifth minute on a shot from 10 yards out to the lower left post. Inside the Gauchos’ box, Read held the ball and passed it to Mykines, who then found Hilbrands.
Hilbrands scored again in the 21st, winning the ball from a UCSB defender and firing a shot to the far post from inside the 18. The junior leads the Illini with five goals out of the team’s 11 this season.
Illinois carried a 2-0 lead into halftime with seven shots on goal while UCSB had none. After numerous chances on net, the Illini finally made the score 3-0 in the 62nd minute as Read scored on a header to the upper left post after a corner kick by Mykinesn.
Illini goalkeeper Alexandra Kapicka tallied the 11th shutout of her career and made one save. In the 65th, Kapicka made a diving stop to punch out UCSB forwardAlissa Sanchez’s shot from close range. The Gauchos played two keepers during the match, with starter Ali Cutler making five saves and Tammy Lenham making three off the bench.
The Gauchos will remain away from home as they travel to Williamsburg, Va., for the William & Mary Classic. On Wednesday, Sept. 9, UCSB will play the host school in a 4:00 p.m. (PDT) match, and on Friday, Sept. 11, they will play George Mason in a 1:00 p.m. (PDT) contest.
