ROCHESTER, Mich. – UCSB scored a goal in each half and its defense did the rest as the Gauchos opened its two-game road swing to Michigan with a 2-0 win at Oakland University.
UCSB improved to 3-3-1 with the win while Oakland dropped to 1-5-0.
The Gauchos got on the board first, scoring in the 21st minute. Freshman defender Miranda Cornejo, who entered the game just moments earlier, headed home a corner kick by Erica Shelton at the 20:55 mark. The goal was the first of Cornejo’s career.
UCSB scored its second goal at the 56:16 mark when Dyanne Anderson was in the right place at the right time, scoring on a scramble right in front of the goal line. It was the team-leading fourth goal of the season for Anderson, three coming in the last three games.
UCSB dominated the entire match, outshooting the Golden Grizzlies 27-7 overall and 10-1 in shots on goal. The first half was even more lopsided as the margins were 19-4 and 6-0. The Gauchos also narrowly missed on several occasions in the first 45 minutes. Anderson hit the crossbar with a shot in the second minute and then in the 16th minute, Erin Ortega hit a post.
Sophomore goalkeeper Makenna Henry needed just one save to post her second shutout of the season.
The game between the Gauchos and Golden Grizzlies also marked the return of some injured Gauchos. Defenders Nicole Romanowski and Alyssa Benjamin were each in the starting lineup for the first time in three games.
UCSB will remain in Michigan for one more match when they travel to Michigan State on Sunday, Sept. 11.
