UCSB’s upset bid ended with four seconds left in the game as Stanford’s Jacob Smith scored the game-winning goal to beat the Gauchos 6-5 at the Avery Aquatic Center.
No. 5 UCSB looked poised for an upset, leading 4-2 at halftime, before Stanford (9-2, 2-0 MPSF) showed why it’s the No. 1 team in the nation with a big second half for the victory.
Santa Barbara (11-6, 0-1 MPSF) came out strong, fired up for the big match-up and a chance to open up conference play with a huge upset win.
Tied 4-4 in the fourth quarter, UCSB’s Eric Van de Mortel scored his second goal with 2:03 remaining in the game to give the Gauchos the lead. Stanford’s Alex Bowen scored on the next Cardinal possession to tie the game at five.
UCSB looked in a position to score with 40 seconds left before Smith made the key interception that led to the game-winner.
Defensively, the Gauchos played well, holding Stanford to only two goals at half. Junior goalkeeper Myles Christian looked strong with seven saves in goal.
UCSB…3 1 0 1 — 5
Stanford…2 0 2 2 — 6
UC Santa Barbara Goals: Van de Mortel 2, Bishop, Gronow, Komadinic
UC Santa Barbara Goalkeeper Saves: Christian 7
Stanford Goals: Bowen 2, Smith 2, Avery, Watkins
Stanford Goalkeeper Saves: Pingree 6
