UC Santa Barbara forward Shaelan Murison was peppering Westmont College goalkeeper Gabi Haw with shots for much of the first half of the annual exhibition contest between the schools.
Murison finally broke through in the 26th minute, sparking her team to a 2-0 win at Harder Stadium on Saturday.
Murison, a First Team All-Big West Conference selection in 2018 and a Preseason All-Big West pick in 2019, played 53 minutes in the game against the Warriors and produced eight total shots, six of which were on goal. Haw saved the first five before Murison scored.
“Shae is an outstanding goal-scorer,” said UCSB head coach Paul Stumpf. “She has really established herself as a go-to goal scorer for us.”
Murison’s goal came when she found a loose ball in the box. Haw tried to smother it, but Murisoh kept it alive, dribbled in, got behind the keeper and scored from about 19 yards out.
The Gauchos their second in the 40th minute when Jessica Wright flicked a pass to junior transfer Angelica Ortega in the box and Ortega lifted shot past Haw and into the lower right portion of the goal, giving UCSB a 2-0 lead.
After starting most of the regulars to begin the second half, the Gauchos did a complete line change early, entering an all new lineup in the 54th minute. The newcomers didn’t score, but they held firm and the score remained 2-0.
Defensively, Santa Barbara allowed a mere one shot on goal. The team’s second goalkeeper of the night, freshman Evann Smith, produced the team’s sole save.
In all, the Gauchos finished with 16 shots, 11 of which were on target. In addition to Murison’s eight shots, sophomore Jessica Wright had four, two on goal. She also assisted on Ortega’s tally late in the first half.
Senior Hanna DeWeese started the match in goal and was able to finish her first half of action without needing to produce a save. Sophomore Natalie Hill logged nearly 23 minutes and also did not face a shot. Smith played 22 minutes and had the team’s only save.
“Overall, I thought we fared well tonight,” Stumpf said. “We were able to get several players into the match and, for me, that was important. We’re still without a couple of our regulars, but when we open on Thursday (vs. Minnesota on Aug. 22) I hope they’re ready.”