Agustina Carrizo
Contributing Writer
This Wednesday, Oct. 23, the UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) men’s soccer team faced off at home against California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Welcomed by the UCSB Cheer Team, the players were coming back onto the pitch after a 3-1 loss against Sacramento State on Oct. 19. They were looking for a win.
The team started the game off strong despite CSUN’s attempts to keep the ball on the Gaucho side of the field. By the third minute, the Gauchos were already on the scoreboard after sophomore midfielder Kaden Standish leaped up to head a beautiful cross shot into the box by senior forward Alexis Ledoux.
The CSUN Matadors came back aggressively after the goal, but even so, the Gauchos managed to strike again at the eleventh minute of the match. Sophomore Kaden Standish took another shot against CSUN’s goalkeeper, who managed to block the strike. Junior forward Nicolas Willumsen, however, controlled the rebound and shot the ball right past the Matador keeper, who could be seen kicking the goalpost in frustration as the Gauchos celebrated.
The Matadors continued to fight tirelessly against the Gauchos, managing a shot in the fourteenth minute, but it was easily caught by UCSB’s goalkeeper, senior David Mitzner.
The match continued with tensions high as UCSB junior midfielder Filip Basili was fouled by a Matador midfielder, who consequently received a yellow card. Soon after, UCSB conceded a goal, making the score 2-1.
As the first half progressed, the Gauchos continued to push past their rival’s defense, ripping a few close shots, but they were unable to finish them. In the 35th minute, CSUN forward sent a ball flying past UCSB’s keeper, leveling the score at 2-2.
As the last few minutes of the first half approached, tensions between the Gauchos and Matadors were high, as both teams were pressuring and committing fouls. At the 41st minute, the crowd could be heard erupting as the Gauchos were awarded a penalty after a foul in the opposing box. Senior midfielder Nemo Philipp stepped up to take the penalty, making the shot with ease as the first half came to an end. The Gauchos lead 3-2.
Both teams came in hot at the start of the second half, but the Gauchos began to get sloppy with their passes, losing the ball in the middle of the field and giving possession to the Matadors more than a few times.
The match continued fairly evenly throughout the second half, but in the 65th minute, Alexis Ledoux broke off on a stellar run, ripped a shot, and widened the gap between their opponents, making the score 4-2.
The crowd broke out in cheers after the fourth goal, getting even louder after Ledoux celebrated by the sidelines; deserved after his beautiful goal. The commentator could be heard shouting “Ledeux puts le ball in le corner,” further encouraging the crowd’s celebrations.
Though the Gauchos were now up by two points, they continued to push past CSUN’s defense — junior midfielder Eddie Villeda managed to on target, hitting the crossbar before the ball was cleared by a Matador defender.
At the 77th minute, CSUN struck again, putting a third one past UCSB’s Mitzner, closing the scoring gap. After a few more shots from both sides and some impressive saves from the Gaucho goalkeeper, the match came to an end with a final score of a 4-3 win.
The Gauchos are now 6-0-2 at home in the regular season — with six games won, two drawn, and none lost — and ranked 25th in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division 1 standings. The Wednesday night match result helped the team back into first place in the Big West Standings with a total of 14 points — two more than second place Cal Poly Mustangs — and with only two games left to play.
The team’s last home match took place on Saturday, Oct. 26 at Harder Stadium. Kickoff was at 7 p.m. against California State University, Fullerton. Not only was it the last home game of the regular season, but the Saturday night game was the team’s Senior Night, where the graduating seniors were celebrated before kickoff. The game ended in a tie for the Gauchos, with one game left away at UC Riverside on Nov. 2.