UCSB’s women’s soccer team was looking to ascend the Big West standings and Sunday’s game against the conference-leading UC Irvine was a perfect opportunity. The No. 19 Anteaters came ready, outlasting the Gauchos 2-1 in the second overtime.
Alexis Rafael scored the game-winner for UC Irvine after 109 minutes of play to break UCSB’s back.
“It was pretty gutting there,” said UCSB head coach Paul Stumpf. “We just have to get ourselves back to work, luckily we still have three more home games before we hit the road. There’s a reason why they’re 12-1-1.”
With the defeat, UCSB drops to 6-6-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big West while Irvine improves to 4-0 in conference.
“UCI has a lot of strong girls out there,” said UCSB’s keeper Makenna Henry. “It was a testimony to us that we hung with them.”
The first period of overtime was a defensive struggle highlighted by only a single corner kick and one shot on goal. Each team was looking for any chance to put in the game winner, and the physicality that resonated throughout the game picked up at the start of the second overtime.
After most of the time had elapsed, the Anteaters controlled the ball and launched an offensive attack that required Henry to make three miraculous saves. With just a minute left in the game, Irvine was able to push the ball close to the end line, where forward Taylor Tanya was able to feed a pass into the center allowing wide-open Rafael to easily notch the winning goal.
UCSB opened the game with some shaky play, as their timing was just a bit off on a couple plays. One of the few miscues was when Junior defender Kathleen Matthew conceded an early turnover that led to a shot off the post. The Anteaters’ constant pressure with long through passes was netting them offensive opportunities, yet they were unable to convert, giving the Gauchos a chance to regroup.
The Gauchos offense quickly recovered, and started pressing the ball downfield with quality passing. Things vastly improved for UCSB when senior forward Kaitlyn Kugler broke away from the back line but was fouled hard, netting a penalty shot for the Gauchos. Kugler converted with a shot to the lower left with Irvine’s keeper leaning the wrong way.
The Anteaters were able to strike back before halftime. With about five minutes left to play in the half, after a hard tackle by midfielder Mar Rodriguez, Zuri Walker struck a 23-yard shot into the top right corner of the net off an assist from defender Nikki Forrest.
Henry made another beautiful save right before the end of the half to keep the score tied at 1-1.
The second half opened with each team unable to put together much offensively until Irvine’s Rodriguez found an opening in the Gaucho defense and ripped a shot off that was blocked by UCSB Junior defender Alyssa Benjamin. Benjamin’s header saved what seemed a sure fire goal and preserved the tie.
With the clock dwindling below ten minutes, tempers started to flare, as each team seemed frustrated with the its own ability to make something happen offensively. After some rough play and errant passes, the clock sounded for the end of regulation and the game was headed for overtime.
The Gauchos will face UC Davis this Friday at Harder Stadium. It will be the third match of a five-game homestand.
Some really impressive saves by Henry! Good game…