HAYWARD – One day after beating Cal State Monterey Bay, 14-8, No. 12 UC Santa Barbara (2-0) posted a similar win over Cal State East Bay (0-1), 14-9 in a non-conference game.
The Gauchos jumped out to the early 4-0 lead in the first quarter off two goals from senior Kathryn Nelson, and one each from Molly Hafferkamp and Rachel Nelson.
UCSB was on the offensive attack in the first period and was up nine goals just before halftime, 10-1. Just before the half ended Cal State East Bay recorded just its second goal of the game and the Gauchos took a 10-2 lead into the break.
In the third period, the Pioneers made an impressive comeback. Claire Pierce, who posted back-to-back goals in the third quarter and totaled five goals on the day, led the Pioneer attack. Her two goals and a goal by Whitney Bell put Cal State East Bay within six, 10-4.
The Pioneers would climb back to within four at 12-8, but goals by Rachel Nelson and Katie Zakula put the game away. UCSB went on to win, 14-9.
For the second game in a row two players posted big games for the Gauchos. Kathryn Nelson recorded her second straight hat trick while Freshmen Molly Hafferkamp recorded her second straight game with two goals. Kathryn Nelson leads the team in scoring at six.
Just behind Kathryn Nelson in scoring is Rachel Nelson who has five goals on the season.
Also getting in on the action for the Gauchos was Kilee Dryer, Justine Ramos, Katie Zakula, Claire Buchanan, Kristin Kulakowski, Sienna Van Alphen and Kacey Creek, who all had one goal each.
UCSB was not only scoring though, they were playing defense too. Sophomore goalkeeper Ruth Milne recorded six saves, and the defense earned 14 ejections.
The 2-0 Gauchos will round out the three game road trip today, Jan. 22 as they head to Berkeley to play Sonoma State (1-0). The action begins at 10:30 AM at Dr. G. Edward Rudloff Pool.
UCSB 14, CSU-EAST BAY 9
UCSB: 4 6 2 2 – 14
CSUEB: 0 2 2 5 – 9
Scorers:
UCSB: Kathryn Nelson-3, Rachel Nelson-2, Molly Hafferkamp-2, Kilee Dreyer-1,
Justine Ramos-1, Katie Zakula-1, Claire Buchanan-1, Kristin Kulakowski-1, Sienna
Van Alphen-1, Kacey Creek-1
CSUEB:
Claire Pierce 5, Sarah Grunberger 2, Whitney Bell, Erica Crain
Blocks:
UCSB: Ruth Milne-4, Chelsea Carrillo-4
CSUEB: Pekarske 6
