UC Davis goalie pushes the ball away on a dangerous set piece by UCSB. (Vince Agapito Photos)
UCSB's Erin Ortega moves to capture the ball in front of the Davis net.
UC Davis parlayed a pair of goals less than four minutes apart in the first half into a 2-1 Big West win over UCSB on Friday evening at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium.
Davis (6-7-1 overall, 1-3-0 in the Big West) jumped to a 1-0 lead over the Gauchos (6-7-2 overall, 2-3 in the Big West) at the 12:17 mark. Lisa Kemp drove down the right side of the box, beat a defender and hit a perfect cross. Bridget Berger headed Kemp’s cross from about five yards out just inside the left post.
The Aggies didn’t waste much time making the score 2-0. In the 16th minute Ashley Edwards took advantage of a blown clear by the Gauchos’ defense. Edwards took the bad clear and pounded a shot home from about 10 yards out on the right side.
The Gauchos battled back in the second half and finally got on the board at the 69:53 mark when senior forward Kailyn Kugler crossed a ball from the fight wing to sophomore Erin Ortega. Ortega one-timed a powerful shot inside the right post.
UCSB had several other opportunities, including a shot by senior Jacqui Simon in the 75th minute that hit the post. UCSB outshot the Aggies by an 18-9 margin overall and 9-4 in terms of shots on goal.
UCSB returns home on Sunday, Oct. 17 to host Pacific in a noon match at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium.
