The combination play between Savannah Francis and Madison Beckley worked like a charm, and UCSB’s defense stepped up against relentless UC Irvine pressure, sending the Gauchos to a 1-0 women’s soccer win in the Big West opener on Friday at Harder Stadium.
After a corner kick got back to her on the right side, Francis hit a cross to the far post, where Beckley charged in and beat the goalkeeper with a leaping header. It was her fifth goal of the season, and it came just before the end of the first half.
The Gaucho defense made the goal stand up. Miranda Cornejo, Taylor Gehring and Paige and Lindsay Gankema thwarted several Irvine attacks, and goalieeper Beth Ritter came up with five saves.
“We had to weather the storm, but our defense was up for it,” said UCSB coach Paul Stumpf, whose team improved to 7-4-1.
