No. 14 UCSB (7-6) went 1-1 on the opening day of the UC Irvine Invitational. UCSB suffered a 9-3 defeat to No. 3 UCLA (11-3), but rebounded to overcome No. 13 San Diego State (9-5), 10-9 in sudden victory.
In their morning contest, UCSB kept the game close through the first half. After a scoreless second quarter, UCSB trailed UCLA by a score of 2-1 at the mid point. However, in second half the Bruins offense ignited, outscoring the Gauchos 3-1 in third, and 4-1 in the fourth.
UCSB bounced back in the evening, earning a hard fought victory over San Diego State. The Gauchos got off to strong start, building a 5-3 lead over the Aztecs by half. The third quarter was even at two goals a-piece, but the Aztec rallied in the fourth, outscoring UCSB 3-1, and ending regulation in an 8-8 tie.
The Gauchos took back control in overtime, with Katie Kepner’s second goal of the match, leaving the score at 9-8 to end the first overtime.
In the second overtime period the Aztecs answered back, evening the score at 9-9, and forcing the game into sudden victory
In the deciding round, UCSB’s Lizzie Rouleau found the net and seized the win for the Gauchos.
UCSB will resume tournament play on Sunday at 8:00 am, against Cal State Northridge, at Corona Del Mar High School.
UCSB 1 0 1 1 3
UCLA 2 0 3 4 9
UCSB Goals: Lizzie Rouleau 1, Christie Clark 1, Shelby Haroldson
UCSB Saves:Ruth Milne 8.
UCLA Goals: KK Clark 3, Sarah Orozco 2, Brooke Martin 2, Megan Burmeister 1, Priscilla Orozco 1
UCLA Saves: Caitlin Dement 8
UCSB 3 2 2 1 1 0 1 10
SDSU 1 2 2 3 0 1 0 9
UCSB Goals: Katie Kepner 2, Nancy Ruano 2, Lizzie Rouleau, Claire Buchanan, Kristin Kulakowski, Kacey Creek, Christie Clark, Kathryn Nelson<BR>
UCSB Saves: Ruth Milne 14
SDSU Goals: Kimmy Keach 3, Amber Pezzolla 2, Meaghan Poland 2, Sarah Brady 1, Melissa de Jonckheere 1
SDSU Saves: Kelly Campoli – 14
