Score: UC Davis 1, UC Santa Barbara 3
Location: Santa Barbara, Calif.
Records: UC Davis 5-5-4 (1-3-1), UC Santa Barbara 9-2-3 (3-0-2)
The short story: UC Davis scored a second-half goal by Zach Neuls but couldn't overcome the UC Santa Barbara attack, falling 3-1 to the host Gauchos Wednesday night at Harder Stadium.
PITCH SIDE
- Neuls scored the Aggies' lone goal on a header from a Declan Horio free kick service
- Despite recording three shots on goal in the second half, Santa Barbara's early lead was the deciding factor
- Rafael Matiello, Chase Tanon, Zack Lillington, and Lucas Fernandez-Kim all tallied shots tonight for UC Davis, along with Neuls and Horio
- The Gauchos recorded 12 fouls to the Aggies' 10
- Two different Gauchos found the back of the net, scoring three goals after firing off 17 total shots
HOW IT HAPPENED
- UC Santa Barbara controlled possession early in the first half, resulting in a pair of early goals for the hosts
- The Gauchos opened the scoring in the 6th minute, with Filip Basili finding Nicolas Willumsen on a cross
- They doubled their advantage in the 26th minute with conference goal leader Alexis Ledoux finding the net
- UC Santa Barbara carried a 2-0 lead into the halftime break and finally met an Aggie response in the 60th minute, with Neuls scoring his second goal of the season to make it 2-1
- Seemingly capturing some momentum after the goal and controlling possession in the second half, UC Davis recorded two more shots on goal in the 62nd and 81st minutes
- Prior to the Aggies' attempt in the 81st minute, the Gauchos added a much-needed insurance goal in the 73rd minute, with Ledoux finishing again sealing home the 3-1 win for the conference leaders
NEXT UP: UC Davis continues their road trip, looking to get back on track against UC Riverside this Saturday, Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. PT.
