The UC Santa Barbara women’s soccer team is coming off a 0-4 loss to California Polytechnic State University and, most recently, a 1-1 draw against the University of the Pacific. 

UCSB women’s soccer player crossing a pass.

During the season, the Gauchos have had trouble scoring goals against their opponents, scoring only 8 across their opponents’ nets in 10 games. Moreover, the team has struggled away, having a record of 0-4-1.  

In their first conference game of the season, the Gauchos were outmatched by their rival, the Cal Poly Mustangs. The Gauchos were shut out in the match and allowed 15 shots and 4 on target. On the other hand, the Gauchos only mustered 6 shots with only 2 of those coming on target. 

The Gauchos were in the game, going into the half being down by a mere 0-1 deficit. The second half resulted in a much different story as the Mustangs were able to put the Gauchos away, scoring 3 unanswered goals. 

In their most recent fixture, the Gauchos were able to put together a solid performance, taking a 1-1 draw against the undefeated University of the Pacific. 

In this match, Pacific was able to get an early lead on the Gauchos when freshman forward Anaya Shelton scored in the 24th minute of the match. With solid defense throughout the rest of the match, the Gauchos were able to hold their own until sophomore forward Meg Burling equalized the match at 1-1 in the 52nd minute. 

Unlike the Cal Poly game, the Gauchos were the more dominant side in this match, shooting Pacific 9-4 with 3 shots on goal as opposed to Pacific’s 1 shot on goal. The Gauchos also produced 2 saves for the Pacific goalie, while the Gauchos’ keeper was not forced into any action. 

On the season for the Gauchos, the scoresheet is being dominated by Burling as her goal put her in the lead for the Gauchos with 6 points and 3 goals. Sophomore midfielder Krysten Vasquez made her debut at Harder Stadium against Pacific and made the most of it, recording her first assist of the season. The game featured two goalies, sophomore Sabrina Hinz and senior Evann Smith, in contrast to sophomore goalkeeper Taylor Little who played all 90 minutes of the Cal Poly match.

The Gauchos’ next match will take place tonight, Sept. 22, kicking off their first match of the school year, against the University of Hawai‘i. 

A version of this article appeared on p. 7 of the September 24, 2022 print edition of the Daily Nexus.