Defensive center-midfielder Machael David scored and assisted on center back Tim Pontius’ goal to lead the No. 8 UCSB to a 2-0 win over Sacramento State on Sunday at Harder Stadium.
The Gauchos established a clear advantage in possession early on, as David and fellow center-midfielders Luis Silva and Fifi Baiden won balls in the middle of the field and distributed well.
Baiden and David also were instrumental on the defensive side of the ball, closing down Sacramento State players quickly and aggressively. The Hornets failed to connect passes in their attacking third of the field throughout the match.
The Gauchos’ first clear chance at goal came in the ninth minute when forward David Opoku slipped behind the Hornet defense but was unable to make solid contact on his breakaway, and the ball rolled harmlessly to the keeper.
Machael David’s first goal of the season was also UCSB’s first goal on the game.
In the 19th minute, David found space and made a run down the left sideline. After receiving a through ball, David combined beautifully on a give-and-go with Opoku and finished with a goal at the near post.
The midfielder moved from his spectacular goal right into a celebratory backflip.
“We had discussed movement up front as being really critical for us,” UCSB coach Tim Vom Steeg said. “Their defense, they’re hard to the ball but they don’t necessarily track runners, so we can pull players away, pull players out.”
A few minutes after the goal, fatigue set in for the Gauchos who were playing their second game in three days. Vom Steeg made four substitutions and the fresh legs led to a noticeable increase in energy.
Late in the first half, Santa Barbara received a free kick a few yards into their attacking half.
The Hornets won the ball in the air, but cleared it directly to David. The midfielder again streaked down the left sideline and played across the goal to Pontius who fired a low shot on goal. Sacramento State goalkeeper Cesar Castillo made a valiant effort and stopped the ball before it hit the net, but not before it crossed the goal line and UCSB led 2-0 at the half.
“For me, I really want to go,” David said about his runs. “The game plan is for me to hold more in the middle and let [James] Kiffe go on the left side, but you know, when it’s open, and when you see it, you got to take it.”
In the second half, fatigue continued to set in on both squads, and the Gauchos were less aggressive on the attacking end.
Defender Tim Pontius scored UCSB’s second goal against Sacramento State.
Sacramento State (4-3-1) had a clear chance on goal just three minutes into the half when the Santa Barbara defense lackadaisically gave the ball away deep in its own half. The Hornets were unable to convert on what would end up being their best chance to score during the match.
The Gauchos missed several chances of their own in the second half. In the 74th minute Silva played a through ball to get Opoku behind the keeper, but he was not able to score.
In the 76th minute, Opoku again was able to get behind the defense and go one-on-one with the keeper, but he failed to hit the target on an attempt to chip the ball in.
Despite the missed opportunities, the Gauchos held firm on defense, and recorded their fifth shutout in nine games.
“I thought we did a better job defensively in the second half,” Vom Steeg said. “I don’t think they saw much of the goal in that second half.”
UCSB (6-1-1) opens Big West play Wednesday at UC Riverside.
