The UCSB women’s soccer team was shut out for only the fifth time this season, as it fell on the road to Cal Poly by a final score of 2-0 yesterday. The Gauchos have now fallen out of contention to make the Big West Conference tournament.

UCSB sits with an overall record of 8-8-2 and a conference record of 2-5. Cal Poly improves its overall record to 10-8 and currently holds a conference record of 5-2, which leads the Big West.

“We have to do a better job,” Head Coach Paul Stumpf said. “It’s not like we haven’t had our chances to win any of these games, but we needed to take people on and create more chances.”

UCSB came to San Luis Obispo knowing they would need a win if they were to have any hope of making the conference tournament. The Mustangs would dash those hopes early though, as they began the scoring in just the second minute of play.

At the three minute mark, junior forward Elise Krieghoff delivered an on-target cross to sophomore forward Megan Abutin who would finish by putting the ball in the back of the net. This was Abutin’s seventh goal of the season and the fourth assist for Krieghoff.

Cal Poly would strike again in just the 13th minute of play. Abutin delivered a pass off a diagonal cut inward and found Krieghoff who would score with an inside shot. Krieghoff now has a conference-best 14 goals on the season and Abutin notches her conference-leading 12th assist.

Following the early deficit, the Gauchos simply could not get the offense going. UCSB took a total of four shots in the first half compared to Cal Poly’s six.

In the second half, the Gauchos were able to take five shots and force two corner kicks, but failed to capitalize. Cal Poly took six shots and had one corner kick, but they only forced junior goalkeeper Beth Ritter to make one save.

The Gauchos did have their opportunities as they forced junior goalkeeper Alyssa Giannetti to make four saves in the match. Leading scorers sophomore Sara Feder and junior Angelisa Cortez each had one shot on goal. Sophomore forward Ashley Dean led the team with two shots on goal.

The UCSB women’s soccer team has now lost three road games in a row after an impressive home stand produced back-to-back thrilling wins. With the loss, the Gauchos are at the bottom of the Big West Conference standings with only six points, just above Hawaii who stands with three points.

Cal Poly continues to stay atop the Big West conference as they now have a conference leading 15 points through seven conference games. They are trailed closely by Long Beach State who has 14 points through seven conference games.

The Gauchos will head into the final game of the season this Thursday as they take on Cal State Fullerton at 7 p.m. at Harder Stadium.

This is a Daily Nexus online exclusive.