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UCSB Escapes With Win In Home Opener

Box Score

Feb. 12, 2010

Santa Barbara, CA - The Gauchos held off a rallying Lindenwood University team to escape with a 15-14 win in their home opener. UCSB was up 11-3 just 17:40 into the first half on an unassisted goal by senior Maggie Aker (Oakland, CA) but the 9th ranked Lions outscored the Gauchos 5-2 over the next 11 minutes to make it 13-8 at halftime. UCSB looked like offensive juggernauts leading 7-1 when Aker fed junior Alyssa Nelsen (Denver, CO) on an early offense goal 7:06 into the game. 

It was a lead good to have for 2nd ranked UCSB since Lindenwood certainly wasn't going to roll over and showed that by continuing to scrap for ground balls and doing what they could to claw their way back into the game. The Lions scored the last goal of the first half to get to within 5 goals. They then scored the first 6 goals of the second half to make it a 7 goal run and took a 14-13 lead with 12:06 remaining in the game on an unassisted goal by junior Lacey Vatland (Vero Beach, FL).  Vatland finished with 5 goals and no assists.

That was the last score for Lindenwood, though, and UCSB scored two straight to put it away and get the win. Junior Ashley Antoon-Algieri (San Ramon, CA) netted the equalizer on a free position shot and then sophomore Megan Dawe (Martinez, CA) fed a nice cross crease pass to senior Fran Perrone (Davis, CA) who got the game winner with 4:32 remaining. Sophomore goalie Jeni Centner (Tustin, CA) had 2 of her 9 saves in the remaining moments to turn back the Lions. 

"When we were equal on draw controls in the first half we were quite successful in our transition offense and our settled offense," said UCSB head coach Paul Ramsey. "We were connecting all over the offensive end and it was the best early offense I've seen out of us in three years."

Both teams had 11 draw controls out of an amazing possible 22 restarts in the first half. The shift in momentum toward the end of the first half and Lindenwood winning 7 of the 9 second half draw controls put UCSB on the defensive the entire second stanza.

"We didn't time possession but I'd be surprised if we had the ball even 10 minutes out of the 30 minute second half," added Ramsey. "We have the capability to generate 40 shots a game but we need to at least be even on draw controls in each half and keep the ball ours in transition to get that done."

The Gauchos were balanced on offense again with 8 players getting involved and 8 of the 12 goals from the field scored on assist plays. Senior Monora Seth (San Diego, CA) led the UCSB defense with 6 ground balls and 3 caused turnovers.

UCSB improved to 3-0 overall while Lindenwood dropped to 2-1. The Gauchos continue play in their home tournament, the 22nd Annual Santa Barbara Shootout Sponsored by Brine, in a 1:00pm Saturday game with 6th ranked Florida and a 5:30pm game with 12th ranked Texas. Both games are on the Rob Field Turf at UCSB.