Three players tallied one goal and one assist apiece in an offensive effort that led UCSB men’s soccer past Providence College in second round action of the NCAA tournament Sunday night. It was the first game of the tournament for No. 15 UCSB, which received a first-round bye.

“We were rested and well prepared,” Head Coach Tim Vom Steeg said. “Our game plan was to keep the ball on the ground, move the ball around and work hard in transition on defense.”

With the win, UCSB moves on to play No. 2 Creighton University in a third-round match in Omaha, Nebraska. Providence has been eliminated from tournament action.

The Gauchos were able to gain momentum early in the game despite poor field conditions due to rainy weekend weather. Just six minutes into the match, a through ball by Madueno was met with a powerful kick by Silva, giving UCSB the early 1-0 lead.

“It was ripped,” Vom Steeg said about Silva’s goal. “Silva was not only great but was on a different level on the field tonight.”

Silva’s shot from 12 yards out added to his total of 17 goals on the year. At the end of Big West conference play, Silva ranked No. 6 in the nation in goals scored, and ranks No. 12 overall in goals per game with .80 as of Nov. 13.

Madueno was able to add his name to the shot list at the 40:14 mark, when he received a pass on the left side of the box from sophomore forward Dom Sarle, who is currently second on the team in total assists with nine.

“Josue was a real important key to the game tonight,” Vom Steeg said. “They couldn’t stay with his pace and athleticism.”

Down 2-0 coming out of the halftime break, Providence was able to respond with a goal by freshman defender Brandon Adler 22 minutes into the second period. The goal came on a corner kick set and was Adler’s first of the year.

“I made a curving run toward the back post and made a header,” Adler said. “One of their players tried to clear it off the line but thankfully it went over.”

Less than five minutes later, Sarle was able to score on a through ball from Silva, who tallied his team-leading 10th assist of the year.

“I beat [the defender] around the corner quick,” Sarle said. “He cheated near post and I slipped it by him.”

Providence was able to draw a foul call within the box during the 83rd minute, allowing Anthony Baumann to deliver a penalty kick to the lower left side of the goal. The strike brought the Gaucho lead down to 3-2, where it would remain for the rest of the match.

“We lost to a good team,” Providence Head Coach Chaka Daley said. “The way we played in the second half … we should have played that way in the first half.”

UCSB out-shot the Friars 8-1 in the first half and 16-6 throughout the game. Providence goalkeeper Jhojan Obando recorded seven total saves during the match, and UCSB junior goalie Andre Grandt tallied two stops.

UCSB advances to the third round of the tournament against Creighton next Sunday, Nov. 27.

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