UCSB narrowly missed scoring its second goal late in the game which would have clinched the game.
For the second Sunday afternoon in a row, the UCSB women’s soccer team lost a heartbreaker in overtime. This time, the Gauchos (6-8-2 overall, 2-4 inthe Big West) couldn’t hold a late 1-0 lead and dropped a 2-1 Big West decision to visiting Pacific (6-6-3 overall, 3-2 in the Big West).
With the score tied at 1-1 late in the first half of overtime, the Tigers’ Kristina Wavomba, who had tied the score with a score in the 81st minute, carried the ball down the right side of the penalty box. Wavomba cut in towards the goal and rifled a pass across the top of the goal box. Pacific’s Angelica Figueroa was right there to one-time a shot past UCSB goalkeeper Makenna Henry for the game-winner at the 99:50 mark.
Alyssa Oldham throws a soaking ball on a wet day at Harder Stadium.
In the 81st minute, Wavomba scored from about five yards out after a corner kick by Sammi Teramae, knotting the match and ultimately forcing the overtime.
The Gauchcos scored the first goal of the game at 72:27. Sophomore Erin Ortegadribbled the ball deep into the left corner oof the penalty box, spun around a defefnder and cracked a perfect cross into the center of the goal box. Senior Kailyn Kugler collected the ball and shoved a right-footed shot beyond the reach of Tiger goalkeeper Jill Medigovich.
UCSB had a number of opportunities late in the game to reclaim the lead, the two most dangerous coming on close in headers by Kugler. The first of the two looked as if it might have crossed the goal line before being knocked out by Medigovich, but it was ruled a save. The second came almost immediately after the first and was also knocked out by the Pacific goalkeeper.
Although Pacific outshot UCSB 13-12, the Gauchos actually had eight shots on frame as compared to the Tigers’ four. Medigovich was credited with seven saves.
The game was quite physical with the teams combining for 36 fouls and four yellow cards.
Santa Barbara will try to snap a three-game losing streak when it returns for its final home game of the season on Thursday, Oct. 21. The Gauchos will host Seattle University in a non-conference game scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. kickoff at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium. Prior to the game between UCSB and the Redhawks, the UCSB seniors will be saluted in their final home appearance
