A three-goal explosion in the first 20 minutes of the match propelled UC Santa Barbara to its first win of the season, a 3-0 decision at the University of Idaho on Sunday afternoon.
The Gauchos (1-1-2) scored its first goal at the 9:05 mark in the first half when freshman Dylan found sophomore Jessica Wright and Wright one-timed the ball past Avrie Fox for her second goal of the season.
UCSB took a 2-0 lead over the Vandals (2-4-0) just five minutes later when Christine Maurer scored her first goal of 2019.
The Gauchos third goal was their prettiest. In the 20th minute, Junior Emma Vanderhyden took a free kick from 36 yards out on the right side. Vanderhyden’s kick arced in front of Idaho’s goal box where senior Shaelan Murison headed it past Fox to make the score 3-0. The goal was Murison’s second of the year and her first since the season opening tie with Minnesota.
After the three goals in the first 20 minutes, things calmed down on both sides as the teams combined for just 10 total shots, eight of which were go goal. The Gauchos finished with six shots, all on goal, while Idaho had four shots, two of which were on frame.
Santa Barbara goalkeeper Hanna DeWeese recorded a pair of saves in posting her second shutout of the season and the eighth of her career. Fox had three saves for the Vandals.
The win for the Gauchos came in what was officially their first road game of the season. They were supposed to play at Montana on Friday, but after 45 minutes, the game was called due to lightning strikes.
UCSB returns home on Friday, Sept. 13 when it hosts Grand Canyon in a 7 p.m. match at Harder Stadium. The team will remain at home on Sunday, Sept. 15 when it hosts third-ranked Stanford in a 1:00 p.m. contest at Harder Stadium. The first 250 kids in attendance at the Stanford match will receive a gold t-shirt as both teams will commemorate Childhood Cancer Awareness.