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Gauchos Beat 15th Ranked Virginia Tech 10-8

Box Score

Apr. 2, 2011

Fort Collins, CO - UCSB held off Virginia Tech to get a hard fought victory over the 15th ranked Hokies. The win improved UCSB to 10-5 overall and got the Gauchos their 10th win of the season. In match-ups with the two most recent national champions UCSB came out 1-1 playing both teams on the same day. Earlier in the day the Gauchos dropped a close one to 2010 national champion Colorado State, falling just short at 8-7. Against the 2009 national champion UCSB rode a strong first half to a 10-8 success over Virginia Tech.

UCSB goalie Jeni Centner (Tustin, CA) again had a monster game. The junior had 14 saves for 58.3% to follow up on her 60% game against Colorado State. Virginia Tech had beaten CSU earlier in the season in an 11-10 win so the Gauchos knew this was going to be a tough one. The UCSB play the first half was inspiring as they ran up an 8-3 lead. Virginia Tech kept scrapping and when some draw controls went their way took advantage and eventually closed to within 9-6 before UCSB scored again to make it 10-6. The Hokies picked up 2 goals in the last 4 minutes of the game for the final score. 

"We are still looking to put two good halves together against a top team," said UCSB head coach Paul Ramsey after the game. 

"It will really be something to see when we do it."

For the second game in a row UCSB held their opponent to 8 goals to show their improvement on defense. The Gauchos also showed signs of brilliance on offense but  needed to at least trade goals with their opponent in the second half for the second game in a row. In the morning game against CSU that would have won it and in the afternoon game against Virginia Tech it would have  closed it out in a more convincing fashion. Certainly the Gauchos are not playing patsies and had no easy game at the Rocky Mountain Shootout. But that's how it is at Nationals and UCSB is building toward being ready for the post-season.

"These are all fantastic learning opportunities for us win or lose right now," said Ramsey. "If we learn from them and improve then we are set up well for a run at the national championship."

Play continues on Sunday at the Rocky Mountain Shootout with multiple games at Colorado State . But UCSB will face 2nd ranked University of Colorado, Boulder at 11:00am in Boulder at Kittredge Field. The game was originally scheduled for 1:00pm but has been moved up to 11:00am.