Ninth-ranked UCSB snapped a three-game losing skid on Friday when it posted an 11-7 victory at No. 13 Santa Clara in a non-conference game.
With the win, UCSB improves to 10-9 overall while Santa Clara falls to 15-8. The Gauchos, who fell to No. 1 USC 6-4 on Thursday at home, complete a two-game trip to Northern California on Saturday against No. 3 Stanford.
Nick Poggetti got Santa Clara on the scoreboard in the first possession, but the 1-0 lead would be the Broncos last of the game. Moments after Santa Clara’s goal, the Gauchos evened things up with a six-on-five goal and then freshman Brian Shoemaker gave UCSB the lead with 5:19 on the clock. Shortly thereafter, junior Milos Golic stretched the advantage to two goals on another power play.
Mike Sorgenfrei was able to cut the Gaucho lead to one goal when he scored on a five-meter penalty shot, bringing the score to 3-2 heading into the quarter break.
In the second quarter, UCSB was able to shutout the Broncos while adding two more six-on-five goals to push its lead to 5-2 at halftime.
The Broncos outscored UCSB 4-3 in the third quarter to trail by two heading into the final quarter. Jack Wall scored early in the fourth to cut the Gaucho lead to just one goal, but Noah Smith’s goal during the next possession pushed UCSB ahead 9-6.
Goals from Joe Plume and Teddy Zhang put the game out of reach for Santa Clara as UCSB wrapped up the 11-7 win.
Shoemaker led the Gauchos with a career-high four goals in the win while Golic added a hat trick. In goal, Myles Christian tallied nine saves in three quarters of work while Fraser Bunn tallied four.
UCSB 11, Santa Clara 7
UCSB 3 – 2 – 3 – 3 – 11
Santa Clara 2 – 0 – 4 – 1 – 6
UCSB Goals: Brian Shoemaker 4, Milos Golic 3, Teddy Zhang, Noah Smith, Joe Plume, Sean Castillo
UCSB Saves: Fraser Bunn 4, Myles Christian 9
Santa Clara Goals: Nick Poggetti 3, Jack Wall 2, James Case, Mitchell Klipa
Santa Clara Saves: Michael Wishart 11
