Freshman midfielder Lauren Helwig’s second goal of the season made the difference in UCSB’s 1-0 win over the University o San Diego on Sunday afternoon at Harder Stadium.
Helwig’s goal in the 34th minute ended a 371-minute scoreless drought for the Gauchos.
Senior defender Emma Vanderhyden played a ball out to Helwig in the left side of the penalty area, where she managed to slip it past San Diego goalkeeper Ellyn Casto into the right side of goal.
The Toreros had more of the possession in the second half, but they weren’t able to produce a goal thanks to the UCSB defense and junior goalkeeper Evann Smith holding strong.
UCSB coach Paul Stumpf said the team cleaned up the things that hurt them in the previous four games.
“Today, I feel like we didn’t make the same kind of massive mistakes,” he said. “Pitching a shutout for the first time in a while is almost as important as getting a goal.”
The Gauchos (2-5-2) open Big West play on Thursday with a home match against UC Riverside.