Santa Barbara, Calif. – The UCSB Gauchos saw their hopes for a conference title end in disappointment on Saturday when CS Bakersfield defeated them 5-1 in the Big West men’s soccer final held on campus.
Game summary
UCSB opened the scoring on a penalty kick by Steinar Bjornsson in the 26th minute, tying the match at 1‑1. However, the Roadrunners responded quickly, netting goals in the 33rd and 34th minutes to seize a 3‑1 lead.
A red card issued to a UCSB player in the 38th minute left the Gauchos down a man for the remainder of the first half, which ended with Bakersfield firmly in control.
CS Bakersfield added two more goals, one in the 58th minute and another in the 85th, sealing a decisive 5‑1 victory.
Season outlook
The Gauchos finish the season with a 9‑6‑5 record, marking their third consecutive runner‑up finish in the Big West tournament. Starting next fall, most UCSB athletic programs, including soccer, will compete in the West Coast Conference.
Other local college results
In women’s basketball, Cal defeated UCSB 79‑47, with the Gauchos trailing 36‑16 at halftime and never recovering. Maddie Naro led UCSB with 16 points.
UCSB’s women’s volleyball team celebrated Senior Night with a 3‑1 win over Sacramento State, highlighted by Gabi Martinez’s 15 kills and 4 blocks. The team also beat Utah Valley 3‑1, with Martinez adding 21 kills and a career‑high seven aces.
These results round out a busy weekend of collegiate competition for Santa Barbara’s student‑athletes.
Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.
