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Gauchos Offense Clicks In 21-7 Win At USC

Box Score

Apr. 1, 2012

Los Angeles, CA - UCSB led 15-3 at halftime on the road at USC and won the game 21-7 after slowing it down in the second half. Ten Gauchos scored goals in the WWLL match-up as UCSB spread the ball around and put everyone in different positions and roles the second stanza. Eleven of the 17 goals from the field were assisted and 4 goals were scored on free position shots. The top ranked Gauchos, mindful of a horribly classless 29-0 game played recently in another part of the country, chose not to keep pouring it on against the Trojans in the second half.

UCSB broke the game open with a 15 goal run spread out over both halves. Early in the game the Gauchos took a 4-0 lead but USC responded with 3 goals of their own to pull to within a score at 4-3. The USC run was capped off by a successful free position shot by sophomore Hayden Furey (Newport Beach, CA) for her second goal of the game. From that point, though, UCSB held the Trojans scoreless for a 33 minute stretch. During the 15-0 run the Gauchos used everyone suited up. After the whirlwind subsided USC responded admirably by fighting on and putting some offense together, much to their credit, to score 4 more goals to 2 from UCSB.

The usual suspects performed well early for the Gauchos but some great play by reserves Alex Bowers (San Jose, CA), Jackie Dotemoto (Manhattan Beach, CA), Juliet Mariniello (Albany, NY) and Samm Wilson (San Jose, CA) highlighted the 15-0 UCSB run. There was no period in the game that the Gauchos had all their starters on the field at the same time and all reserves played the entire second half with starters subbing in and out for starters.

"Playing well on the road and our mixed line-up performing so well to be a part of that performance is very rewarding for this team," said UCSB head coach Paul Ramsey.

"It's easy to work a few players out onto the field and just have them stay out of the way but it's another thing for them to get involved and do well."

Jeni Centner (Tustin, CA) had 10 saves for 58.8%, including 6 saves in the second half when the Trojans had more opportunities. Freshman Lindsay Alex (Tustin, CA) led all scorers with 2 goals and 5 assists in limited action. Senior Maegan Cruse (San Diego, CA) was right behind her with 5 goals and 1 assist.

With the win UCSB improved to 10-1 overall and 3-0 in WWLL Central. The win set up the Chapman at UCSB game on Saturday as a battle for first in WWLL Central. Success by the Gauchos against the Panthers earns UCSB sole possession of first place in the region and an automatic bid to the WWLL Championship Tournament. Both teams are likely to get an at-large spot regardless of what happens between them Saturday but it will be a hotly contested match, nonetheless.