Gauchos defeated 1-3 during welcome weekend by the Beavers

Welcoming students back to UC Santa Barbara’s campus, the men’s soccer team (4-3-2 overall) took on Oregon State University (3-1-3 overall) and fell 1-3 on Sunday, Sept. 20. 

Hoping to start the school year off strong, the Gauchos were caught short Sunday night, committing several pivotal missteps that led to two easy goals for the Beavers. 

Kicking off the match, the Beavers capitalized on a Gaucho defensive error, scoring in the fourth minute. This sent the Beavers up 1-0 in just one pass and minutes into the match.

Climbing back, the Gauchos dominated for a majority of the first half, and during the ninth minute, junior defender Peleg Brown fired home a goal from long range, pulling the crowd of nearly 4,000 people to their feet. However, the celebration was short-lived as the Beavers challenged the play, and the goal was overturned with a Gaucho offside.

Losing momentum, the Gauchos faulted again with another defensive blunder that led to a second Beaver goal in the 32nd minute, allowing the visitors to lead 2-1 at halftime.

Ultimately, the Gauchos’ fate was settled in the 54th minute, when the Beavers gained possession around 30 yards from the goal, dribbled into space and found the back of the net in the top corner. 

Unable to claim the home victory, UCSB’s Men’s Soccer head coach Tim Vom Steeg was frustrated about the match and commented on the team’s mistakes.

“The other two goals, just huge mistakes, really bad mistakes. You can’t win Division I college games giving up one bad mistake, much less two,” he said. 

Notably, sophomore midfielder Steinar Bjornsson elicited a standing ovation, performing a bicycle kick in the 64th minute; however, it was ultimately blocked by the Beavers’ goalkeeper. Similarly, during the 76th minute, freshman defender Jakob Methvin struck the ball to the near post, forcing another save. 

The Gauchos will face Sacramento State University next on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m. at Harder Stadium.