UCSB controlled the tempo and held the ball in San Diego State’s half for the majority of the game in Friday night’s non-conference clash at Harder Stadium. Yet the Gauchos were only able to tally a single goal, enough to beat SDSU, 1-0, thanks to their first shutout of the season.
Nick DePuy, who normally plays a more defensive position, was pushed up to forward. The move paid dividends for the Gauchos. DePuy found himself some space inside of the penalty box, and scored off a Drew Murphy cross in the 21st minute.
“I saw Drew [Murphy] going down the line, and usually when he is at that angle he’ll try to drive it across the six, or something like that,” said DePuy. “I saw to my left, I think it was J-Lo [Kevin Garcia-Lopez] who’s crashing near. I was just thinking, ‘Alright he’s crashing near, I’ll kind of float behind the center back and go far.’ Lucky enough it deflected off the guy, and right place, right time.”
DePuy provided excellent hold-up play, sparking the Gauchos up front. DePuy has been very versatile for UCSB this season, and he proved it tonight.
“We keep trying to find a place for him [DePuy] on the field, where he can add the most value,” said UCSB head coach Tim Vom Steeg. “Scoring goals always adds value. We will take that going forward. I thought that he played very well.”
For his efforts, DePuy was named man of the match.
Throughout the game, UCSB looked dangerous going forward, especially on its left side, led by Murphy and Ismaila Jome, a preseason All-American.
“Ish [Jome] was very good tonight, and I thought Drew Murphy was very good tonight as well, as a left back. He gave us a lot of good service.”
Despite its plethora of opportunities, UCSB was unable to extend its lead any further.
“What’s been missing is what happens in the 18-yard box,” said Vom Steeg. “We’ve been very soft on some goals, and we haven’t been able to get a goal. And consequently you lose 1-0 instead of winning 1-0.”
Fortunately for UCSB, its defense played solidly, earning its first shutout of the season.
“We’ve been chasing this shutout thing, where we’ve been playing six games, we haven’t been able to get a shutout,” said Vom Steeg. “So, that was a real point of emphasis this week.”
The defense only surrendered three shots on goal, and shut down the Aztecs’ two leading goal scorers, David Olsen and Forrayah Bass. Sophomore captain Paul Ehmann and freshman goalkeeper Brandon Berke anchored the Gauchos’ defensive unit.
Ehmann thwarted many potentially dangerous San Diego State attacks, winning the ball in crucial situations.
Berke made three saves in his first ever collegiate start, including a huge one in the 8th minute off of a powerful shot by San Diego State’s Jeff Rhodes.
“I give my credit to the coaches,” said Berke. “Paul Hart’s [goalkeeper coach] been talking me up, Tim [Vom Steeg], all week at practice he’s been on me about getting big, staying big. I think tonight it really clicked. My defense did a great job.”
The Gauchos were victorious in what was a battle of youth. UCSB started nine underclassmen, while the Aztecs started eight.
In its next match, UCSB (3-3-1) hosts Drake University (2-4-1) this Sunday at Harder Stadium. Kick off is at 6 PM.
The match against Drake will be UCSB’s final non-conference showdown before gearing up for two challenging games to begin Big West Conference play. The Gauchos host both Cal State Northridge (10/2) and #4 U.C. Irvine (10/4) next week.
“Tonight’s a good win for us, but Sunday is the game,” said Vom Steeg. “Sunday’s the game that we need to really have to get us ready for Northridge, which is ultimately our goal.”
While “there is still room to improve” as Vom Steeg said, the win is certainly a step in the right direction for the Gauchos, heading into a crucial part of the season
