UCSB Women’s Soccer falls short of Big West tournament following disappointing final week

UC Santa Barbara Women’s Soccer saw its postseason aspirations come to an end following a difficult final week of conference play. A 1-2 defeat against California State University, Northridge on Wednesday, Oct. 28, followed by a 2-2 draw against UC Riverside on Saturday, Oct. 31 left the Gauchos outside the six-team Big West Women’s Soccer Championship field.

Despite entering the final week with opportunities to qualify, UCSB managed just one point across its final two matches, concluding its season with an 8-5-7 overall record and a 3-4-4 mark in conference play.

The Gauchos entered Wednesday’s matchup in Northridge looking to end a two-game losing streak and improve their position in a crowded postseason race. 

UCSB began the contest aggressively, earning two corner kicks within the opening three minutes. Senior forward Olivia Howard nearly gave the Gauchos an early advantage after recovering her own blocked shot, but her follow-up attempt sailed over the crossbar.

CSUN eventually capitalized in the 20th minute when CSUN senior forward Jordyn Canister delivered a cross from the right side of the penalty area. CSUN sophomore midfielder Lia Peterson collected a rebound and finished near the far post, giving the Matadors a 1-0 lead.

The Gauchos continued generating opportunities before halftime, with freshman forward Alondra Talamantes and junior forward Chayse Yu forcing saves from CSUN senior goalkeeper Hayden Mauldin. Freshman midfielder Ava Ybarra also came close to equalizing when her attempt struck the left post.

UCSB’s situation worsened shortly after halftime. In the 47th minute, Peterson intercepted a clearance attempt from senior goalkeeper Maddie Buckley, deflecting the ball into the net for her second goal of the match.

Trailing by two, the Gauchos increased their offensive pressure and finally broke through in the 69th minute. Sophomore forward Delilah Vega-Aguilar received a pass from junior midfielder and forward Dakota Watterson and finished with her left foot to cut the deficit to 1-2.

The goal marked Vega-Aguilar’s sixth of the season, extending her team lead to 12 points. She finished the season as UCSB’s leading scorer,  three goals and four points ahead of junior midfielder Ava Jarolimek.

UCSB continued attacking throughout the closing minutes but could not find an equalizer. Despite recording 17 shots and six attempts on goal, the Gauchos suffered their third consecutive defeat, leaving their postseason future dependent on Saturday’s results.

Halloween finale against UC Riverside

With its season hanging in the balance, UCSB traveled to Riverside on Saturday, needing a victory to bolster their conference standings.

Although UC Riverside entered the match near the bottom of the Big West, the Highlanders had recently found momentum, winning two of their previous three contests, including victories over CSUN and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.

The Gauchos wasted little time asserting themselves offensively, testing Riverside’s junior goalkeeper KaMia Elliott twice before opening the scoring in the eighth minute .

Senior defender and forward Stella Etcheverry converted a chance created by senior midfielder Sophia Moness, giving UCSB a 1-0 advantage. The goal was Etcheverry’s first of the season.

Riverside responded in the 22nd minute when UCR’s freshman defender Albertine Faye converted a pass from  sophomore defender Macie Baird to level the score at 1-1.

UCSB continued producing scoring chances throughout the first half. Senior defender Emily Caughey nearly restored the lead in the 37th minute, but her shot struck the crossbar.

The Gauchos eventually regained the advantage just before halftime. In the 43rd minute, junior forward Chayse Yu found the back of the net for her second goal of the season, sending UCSB into the break with a 2-1 lead and keeping its postseason hopes alive.

The second half began with UCSB searching for an insurance goal. Senior defender Regan Stiner tested Riverside substitute senior goalkeeper Trinity Hale twice, but the Highlanders prevented the Gauchos from extending their advantage.

Riverside eventually found its equalizer in the 75th minute. Baird, who assisted the Highlanders’ first goal, converted a pass from sophomore forward Mia DiLeo to bring the score level at 2-2 with just over 15 minutes remaining.

UCSB attempted to respond in the closing stages, generating additional corner kicks and scoring opportunities. Junior forward Devin Greer sent an attempt over the crossbar in the 87th minute, but the Gauchos could not find the decisive third goal.

Despite outshooting Riverside 18-8 and recording eight shots on goal, UCSB was forced to settle for a draw in its regular-season finale.

Big West tournament hopes come to an end

Saturday’s result brought UCSB’s conference point total to 13, leaving the Gauchos outside the six-team Big West championship field.

Elsewhere in the conference, California State University, Long Beach provided a potentially favorable result for UCSB, drawing 1-1 against California State University, Bakersfield to finish with 13 points.

However, Cal Poly secured a 3-1 victory over California State University, Sacramento, moving the Mustangs to 15 points and earning a postseason berth. CSUN also finished with 15 points despite a 2-5 defeat against Utah Valley University, while California Baptist University secured fourth place with 16 points following a 3-3 draw against California State University, Fullerton.

The final standings left Cal Poly and CSUN occupying the fifth and sixth tournament positions, respectively, while UCSB and Long Beach State finished two points short of the postseason field.

The results meant the Gauchos’ elimination was not solely the consequence of Riverside’s late equalizer. Even if UCSB had preserved its lead, Cal Poly’s victory would have created a complicated tie at 15 points, involving teams that had already defeated the Gauchos during conference play.

The Gauchos struggled to turn offensive production into results throughout the final stretch of the season They combined for 35 shots across their final two matches but scored only three goals, finishing their final five contests without a win.

The disappointing conclusion marks a significant change from the previous two seasons, when UCSB advanced to the 2025 Big West Championship Final before falling 0-1 to rival Cal Poly, and made the NCAA tournament in 2024.

With their 2026 campaign coming to a close, the Gauchos will turn their attention toward next season, while their departing seniors close a chapter that included both a conference championship appearance and the disappointment of narrowly missing another postseason opportunity.