WAIPAHU, O’ahu – UCSB scored three goals in the final 18:12 to roll past Hawai’i in the Big West Conference opener for both schools, 3-0 on Thursday night.
While the teams were scoreless for the first 71:48, UCSB (8-3-1, 1-0 BWC) had the lion’s share of chances on goal and finally broke through in the 72nd minute when sophomore Amanda Ball was cut down in the box and earned a penalty kick. She stepped to the spot and promptly scored what proved to be the gamewinner. The goal was Ball’s first of the season in her first game back after missing eight due to injury.
Freshman Jessica Parque added to the Gauchos’ lead in the 80th minute when she played a ball down the left flank, received it back inside the box from Ana Cruz and touched a shot past UH goalkeeper Monk Berger. The goal was Parque’s third of the year.
Freshman Mallory Hromatko made it 3-0 at the 86:25 mark when she took a pass from Ryan Kokoska and scored her sixth goal of the season. Hromatko has now scored at least one point in nine of the last ten matches and UCSB is 8-0-1 in those contests.
Hawai’i (3-6-1, 0-1) had several opportunities to score in the second half, but Gaucho goalkeeper Jacq Caginia was up to the task as she recorded five saves, including four in the final 45 minutes.
Santa Barbara returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 11 when it hosts Long Beach State in a match that is scheduled for a noon kickoff on Meredith Field at Harder Stadium.
