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Gauchos Spear Tritons 21-4

Box Score

Feb. 5, 2011

Santa Barbara, CA - UCSB used a slow down offense in the second half of a run away to control the tempo and win 21-4 against visiting UC San Diego. The Gauchos led 13-3 at halftime before keeping the ball on the outside of the field more than the inside the second half. The result was UCSB winning the second half 8-1 against the overmatched Tritons. The game was the regular season opener for UCSB while it was the second of the season for UCSD. The Tritons dropped a close 11-10 decision at home at the hands of USC in their opener last weekend. The 21 goals scored by the Gauchos marked the second consecutive outing UCSB has scored that number against an opponent. UCSB notched the same count in an exhibition game against NCAA DIII Claremont last week in a 21-11 win. 

Maegan Cruse (Encintas, CA)  led all scorers with 6 goals and 3 assists. The junior attacker was efficient with her opportunities getting 6 goals on just 8 shots while playing about 40 of the 60 minutes in the game. Sophomore Katie Mitchell (Lafayete, CA) contributed a great all around game with 3 goals, 4 assists, 2 ground balls and 1 caused turnover with no turnovers. Overall the UCSB players assisted each other on 13 of their 19 goals scored from the field. Two UCSB goals were scored on free position shots. The Gauchos outshot UCSD 38-10 taking 26 shots in the first half before slowing down their offense in the second half and going 8 for 12 on shooting during that period.

"Cruse and Mitch put up some big numbers but our off ball work really opened everything up for everyone all game," commented fourth year head coach Paul Ramsey after the game.

"To get close to 40 shots in a game we need to move the ball and move without the ball, not stand around or clear out for one person to go to goal alone, so that stat is a good indicator we're doing the other things required to play good lacrosse."

UCSB players staked out the midfield as their own and didn't let UCSD do much in that area of the field. It was the same at the defensive end. The Gauchos limited the Tritons to 10 shots the entire game while the UCSB offense generated 38 shots. UCSB was without the services of sophomore defender Emilia Norlin (Mill Valley, CA) who was resting a hip injury. The UCSB defense was still effective sans Norlin and kept getting the ball to give it to the offense. The result was enough possession for 10 Gauchos to contribute points with 8 players scoring goals and another 2 assisting twice each. UCSB junior Jeni Centner (Tustin, CA) saved 60% while allowing only 4 goals.

The UCSB 'B' team was also successful in their opener, outscoring UCSD 'B' 12-2 to pick up a WWLL B Team Division win. Both UCSB teams take to the road next weekend. The 'A' Team plays at University of San Diego on Friday night at 7:00pm and then at UCLA on Sunday at Noon. The 'B' Team will play at UCLA 'B' on Sunday at 10:00am and at USC 'B' at 3:00pm.