Michael Long

January 16, 2003

Women’s basketball: Gauchos Hope to Ride on CSUNset

By Michael Long

The #18 UCSB women's basketball team begins a three-game Big West road trip tonight and will shoot for a season sweep against CSUN tonight in the Matadome.

January 13, 2003

UCSB Three-Iron Is Taylor-Made

By Michael Long

The Vandals came to the Thunderdome in hopes of stealing a victory from UCSB, only to find a staunch police squadron of Gauchos waiting to extradite them back to Idaho.

January 9, 2003

Women of Troy Launch Arsenal

By Michael Long

Approximately 43 hours after easily downing Cal State Northridge, the Gauchos (8-2 overall; 2-0 in the Big West) will try their luck against USC.

January 9, 2003

Trojans Tumble at Hands of Gauchos

By Michael Long

The #21 UCSB women's basketball team realized that winning a war with the women of Troy required defending its territory and claiming the battle of the trenches. The Gauchos (9-2 overall, 3-0 in the Big West) defended th...

January 8, 2003

Sweep Out the Mata-doors

By Michael Long

In an inconsistent showing, Santa Barbara (8-2 overall; 2-0 in the Big West) handed the Matadors (0-13; 0-2) a 73-41 pounding in its conference home opener and ran its streak at home to 15 consecutive games.

January 6, 2003

Gauchos Spread Holiday Cheer

By Michael Long

About the only gifts the #22 UCSB women's basketball team handed its opponents during the winter break were defeats instead of treats. the Gauchos unwrapped their foes en route to a blazing 7-2 start.

January 6, 2003

Gauchos Lace Up Against Northridge

By Michael Long

After opening up conference play with a win against Cal State Fullerton on Saturday on the road, the Gauchos return home to begin an excruciating three-game home stand.

December 5, 2002

Santa Barbara Quenches Thirst Over Gators at Home

By Michael Long

Santa Barbara (2-1) tips off tonight against Loyola Marymount at 7 in the Thunderdome in an attempt to string together its first winning streak of the new season, two games.

November 25, 2002

Women’s basketball: SB Runs Ahead of Pack in Comeback Road Victory

By Michael Long

The #25 UCSB women's basketball started the season with a victory on Friday night at North Carolina State and marked the ninth consecutive time that the Gauchos came out on top in their season opener.

November 22, 2002

Santa Barbara Hopes to Stay With Pack

By Michael Long

Tonight, the UCSB women's basketball team makes its 2002-03 regular season debut and marks the first pit stop along the path towards March's madness.

October 28, 2002

#1 Hoosiers Overcome Feisty Santa Barbara

By Michael Long

#1 Indiana lived up to its reputation as a national power and showed the #17 UCSB men's soccer team the full meaning of tradition. The Gauchos lost 3-1 to the Hoosiers (13-2-2) on Sunday night in Fullerton in a nonconfer...

September 30, 2002

Santa Barbara Stirs Hornets’ Nest, Stings Late

By Michael Long

Following a wet weekend on campus, Sunday afternoon's forecast called for clear skies after the No. 24 UCSB men's soccer team soaked up a home victory over the Hornets.

September 26, 2002

Santa Barbara Tops Rivals, Polls

By Michael Long

Santa Barbara anticipates that its early domination will impress the pollsters and the voters of the NCAA tournament committee in a few months.

September 20, 2002

Gauchos On Cruise Control at 5-0

By Michael Long

After winning the Big West Championship in 2001 the UCSB men's soccer team was psyched to get a shot at the rest of the collegiate squads at the NCAAs. Ten months later, the Gauchos are still waiting for that shot to pro...

May 28, 2002

Mercury in the Rising: Christensen Makes Final Cut

By Michael Long

Christensen was drafted in the second round and No. 40 overall in last month's WNBA draft but had to complete the rigorous workouts, camps and pre-season before actually making the squad.

May 20, 2002

Sports Guy: NorCal vs. SoCal: Why the Bitter Rivalry With Sports?

By Michael Long

I am fascinated by the bitter athletic rivalry at UCSB between students originating from northern and southern California. I'm bewildered by the number of times I've heard the bashing, profanity and utter disrespect for ...