�� Highlights from tonight’s wild 2-2 draw with Grand Canyon
Joe Sherbourne scored his first as a Gaucho and Salvador Aguilar put away his most INCREDIBLE header yet to equalize in the 88th minute!
✍️ GAME RECAP: https://t.co/9dfjFHkQXu pic.twitter.com/3DNbi18FLk
— UCSB Men’s Soccer (@UCSBMensSoccer) September 18, 2022
It may not have been the result the UCSB men’s soccer team was looking for coming into Saturday’s contest against Grand Canyon, but it’s certainly one it’ll live with after sophomore forward Salvador Aguilar knocked in an amazing header in the 88th minute, giving the No. 18 Gauchos a 2-2 draw at Harder Stadium.
Following the tie, UCSB go to 4-1-2 overall, extending its non-losing streak to four games, while Grand Canyon is 3-3-1 overall.
“The first 15 minutes was the game for us,” UCSB coach Tim Vom Steeg said. “We couldn’t have started any better. We had at least five opportunities where we picked up the ball 30 yards and in, because our press was good, but we had nothing to show for it and we go down 2-0. Credit to our players to stay after it and keep battling.”
Aguilar’s shot was certainly something special.
Santa Barbara entered the second half trailing 2-1, and throughout the final 45 minutes the Gauchos dominated possession, looking to get the equalizer and maybe even the winning goal.
But UCSB got off just three shots, as Grand Canyon was dropping everybody back, not allowing a single good look.
At least, until the 88th minute.
That’s when sophomore forward Alexis Ledoux gained space along the right wing, and sent a beautiful left-footed cross into the box.
The pass connected with Aguilar, who leaped and made perfect contact. The ball hit the top left corner of the net with absolutely no chance of being saved.
It was Aguilar’s third goal of the season, tied for the team lead. All three of his goals have come off headers.
“Offensively, once again we put another two goals and we scored on a team in the final minutes where they were all backed in, sitting in the 18-yard box,” Vom Steeg said. “Chava [Aguilar] is in there for one reason, and Alexis delivered a great ball in the right spot. Certainly, I think if this game goes into overtime, I think we get another goal.”
Despite earning the tie late in the game, Vom Steeg was upset with the way the game went. UCSB fell behind 2-0 early, within the first 20 minutes of the contest, which allowed Grand Canyon to basically park the bus and not allow the Gauchos to win the game outright.
“It is frustrating, because I think that everything that you saw today is what’s kind of wrong with college soccer right now,” he said. “You can’t go down. You have to play with a lead and unfortunately, we we didn’t do that tonight.”
Santa Barbara dominated possession Saturday night, 61% to Grand Canyon’s 39%, but in the second half that number was even more in UCSB’s favor — over 70% as the Antelopes were content with playing back and, worst case, finishing with a tie.
“The absence of a substitution rule and no overtime, you’re going to see games like this, where I’m glad we tied. But certainly I think if this game goes in overtime, I think we might get another goal,” Vom Steeg said.
“So there’s a level of frustration because this is what we all discussed when we said there’s no overtime, but we aren’t changing the substitution rule.”
Grand Canyon got the early advantage on the Gauchos, scoring the first goal in the 13th minute after a ‘Lopes pass found Samuel Lossou with a one-on-one chance against UCSB keeper Leroy Zeller. He headed the ball over.
Less than five minutes later, another good Grand Canyon pass left a ‘Lopes player one-one-one with Zeller, and for the second time a GCU player beat him, giving them the 2-0 lead.
Not giving up, however, UCSB’s freshman forward Joe Sherbourne brought the contest back within one when his chip shot found its way over Grand Canyon’s keeper to bring the Gauchos back to within one.
It was Sherbourne’s first goal of his career.
“We just have to keep playing and hope that on Wednesday night we get the first goal,” Vom Steeg said with a laugh.
“It seems to be the recipe for college soccer right now.”
UCSB plays at Cal Poly on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. The contest is not considered a Big West match.