Shengyu Zhang / Daily Nexus

A set piece just outside the 18-yard box helped the UC Santa Barbara men’s soccer team secure a victory against the California Baptist University Lancers in a highly physical game to kick off their spring season, following an unlucky exit from the second round of the NCAA tournament with a loss to Stanford University in penalty kicks.

The Lancers and Gauchos went back and forth throughout the game, trading both fouls and goals until junior forward Ocean Salari drove down the left side for the Gauchos, crossing the ball in for junior midfielder Eddie Villeda to put the ball in the back of the net with 10 minutes remaining in the second half. The Gauchos were able to maintain the lead through the end of the game for a 3-2 win.

 Though the spring season game did not have any effect on either side’s league records, both teams fought hard for the win. The referee stopped play on several occasions, handing out multiple yellow cards for both sides.

The Gauchos were better prepared to capitalize on the physicality of the game, perfectly executing a set piece eventually driven into the bottom left corner by freshman defender Peleg Brown from outside the 18-yard box to tie the game at 2-2. The success of the play was an immediate energy boost for the Gauchos, who scored their third and final goal of the game only 10 minutes later.

Both of the Lancers’ goals, in the 10th minute of the first half and 17th minute of the second half, came as a result of missed passes by the Gauchos back line, taking advantage of their good fortune when it counted. Graduate goalkeeper Marcelo Guerra blocked the Lancers’ other shots on goal, making an excellent save with five minutes remaining to protect the lead for the Gauchos.

Notably, some of the key Gauchos from the fall season, like senior forward Alexis Ledoux, did not play. Also absent was recently drafted freshman midfielder Manu Duah, who made UCSB Athletics history when he was selected first overall in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft.

This game was the Gauchos’ first in their short spring season, which totals only five games against local schools that are not a part of the typical league schedule. The Gauchos will play out of their division against California State University, Los Angeles at home on Friday, March 14, for the second game of the spring season.