For the second straight match, sophomore Erica Shelton scored a goal, helping UCSB salvage a 1-1 tie at Cal State Bakersfield on Sunday evening.
The Gauchos (5-5-2) were riding a two-game winning streak entering the contest against the Roadrunners (2-6-1), but were put on the defensive almost immediately.
Just 20 seconds after kickoff, Daisy Vazquez cracked a cross in front of the UCSB goal. Bakersfield forward Emily Noethe leaped up and headed the ball in, past goalkeeper Makenna Henry giving her team a 1-0 lead until Shelton’s score in the 77th minute.
Neither team could breakthrough in the two overtime periods. The Roadrunners outshot the Gauchos in the extra periods, 3-1, but UCSB had three corner kicks.
For the match, Santa Barbara had a 14-8 edge in shots, including a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal. Henry had a pair of saves for the Gauchos while Kym Gause had six for the Roadrunners.
UCSB will take a season-long three-game unbeaten string into its Big West Conference opener against Long Beach State on Friday, Sept. 30. The Gauchos and 49ers will kick off at 7 p.m. at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium.
