The UC Santa Barbara women’s soccer team played eight matches that ended in draws during the season.
The Gauchos played in No. 9 on Sunday, but this one needed a winner because it was for the Big West Tournament championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
The Gauchos won the title game in a dramatic nine-round penalty-kick shootout, beating Cal State Bakersfield, 8-7, after the teams battled to a 2-2 draw through regulation and two overtime periods at the University of Hawaii.
The victory sends UCSB to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2009. The team will learn its draw via the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at 1 p.m. (PT). The selection show will be broadcast live on NCAA.com.
CHAMPIONS, AT LAST!#GoGauchos pic.twitter.com/UMUEN6AeGG
— UC Santa Barbara Women's Soccer (@UCSBWomenSoccer) November 10, 2024
“I am so proud of our program and filed with gratitude with the commitment level, qualities, and characters of these young women,” said UCSB coach Paul Stumpf, who will be taking his third Gaucho team to the NCAAs.
Freshman forward Devin Greer scored both goals in regulation for UCSB. Her first goal in the 36th minute tied the score at 1-1. She took a pass from O’Callaghan Liu on the right side of the penalty area, made a few moves, turned and ripped a shot to the low left side and past the Bakersfield goalkeeper.
Greer gave the Gauchos a 2-1 lead in the 51st minute, finishing a pass from Olivia Howard.
“My mentality stays the same game-by-game,” said Greer of her hot streak of four goals in the Big West Tournaments. “I go out there and try my best for the team and try to put pressure on the opposition. It was a successful tournament and I am excited for the NCAA Championships.”
Bakersfield’s Isis Salazar-Ortega responded with a tying goal in the 65th minute.
The match remained level through regulation and ultimately went to two overtime periods. A long distance shot by Greer in the first overtime nearly ended the game but the Bakersfield goalkeeper made a great save to continue the match.
Neither side scored in the first overtime as the match continued on to double overtime. The Gauchos dominated the period maintaining most of the possession and being awarded three corner kicks. They also took two shots but could not find the target as extra time finished the match remained 2-2.
In the shootout, both sides made their first two shots. The Gauchos missed on their third shot, giving the Roadrunners an advantage. After the next penalty takers made their shots on both sides, Bakersfield still held an advantage. On the next Bakersfield attempt, Maddie Buckley made an epic save to keep the Gauchos hopes alive at 4-3.
Liu buried her shot to tie the shootout at 4-4.
The teams went to 7-7 before Buckley stopped Bakersfield’s Hollee Hercik.
Haley Phillips beat goalie Kamy Anaya to win the shootout and punch UCSB’s ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
“It was a really intense match and I am still a little jittery, but I am so proud of all my teammates and how we handled that match,” said Gaucho defender Sid Rodriguez. “Everyone showed so much composure in the penalty kicks.”
