SANTA BARBARA — The 2009 regular-season men's soccer opener between CSUB and UC Santa Barbara was a clash worthy of an age-old rivalry, despite just one recorded previous meeting. Tuesday's match-up between the two sides resulted in a 3-1 victory for the nationally-ranked Gauchos, but with the Roadrunners near competition of their NCAA Division I certification process, the rivalry will likely continue to grow at a rapid pace.
The Gauchos, listed in five top 25 polls, and earning a rank as high as No. 10, scored twice early and added one late insurance goal to hold off Bakersfield.
UCSB opened play with two strikes in the first 10 minutes, sending the Roadrunners back on their heels early. Martin Hedevag scored on a header in the sixth minute when a long corner kick was flicked back into the box. An attempted bicycle kick shot by Luis Silva brought CSUB keeper Eric Shannon off his line and Hedevag was able to head the errant shot into the net.
Just three minutes later Sliva and Danny Barrera set up Michael Nonni for his first goal of the season, giving UCSB a 2-0 lead.
Bakersfield cut the deficit in half with eight minutes remaining in the half, courtesy a penalty kick by Oscar Coppieters. The PK opportunity was earned by Evan Fassler, who was tripped up in the Gauchos' box on a breakaway down the left flank.
Santa Barbara earned a 9-2 shot advantage in the opening half, but a pair of big saves by Shannon kept the home team from adding to its early surge.
The second half featured a greater balance of possession between the two sides with Bakersfield earning some of its best opportunities on set pieces in the final third. But Gaucho keeper Sam Hayden, despite just one save, came off his line to break up numerous crosses into the box.
With 1:18 remaining, Nonni tallied the insurance goal for the Gauchos, cutting the ball in from the right sideline and bending a shot around Shannon into the far post.
UCSB finished the night with a 17-3 shot advantage over the Roadrunners, while also earning seven corner kicks to CSUB's one.
The 'Runners continue on the road this weekend, traveling to Corvallis, Ore., for the OSU/Nike Challenge. Friday, CSUB takes on Houston Baptist at 3 p.m., then concludes play at 1:30 p.m. Sunday with a match against the host Oregon State Beavers.
CSU Bakersfield (0-1-0) vs. No. 10 UC Santa Barbara (1-0-0)
Date: Sep 01, 2009 Attendance: 2267
Weather: Sunny and clear
Goals by period 1 2 Tot
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CSU Bakersfield..... 1 0 - 1
UC Santa Barbara.... 2 1 - 3
SCORING SUMMARY:
1. 6:06 UCSB Hedevag, Martin (1) (Silva, Luis) - 23 header off bicycle kick from 8, started by corner kick by 15
2. 9:41 UCSB Nonni, Michael (1) (Barrera, Danny;Silva, Luis) - 8 heel kick to 15 who feeds 21 eight-yards out for goal
3. 37:00 CSUB Oscar Coppieters (1) Penalty kick
4. 88:42 UCSB Nonni, Michael (2) (unassisted) - 21 by himself at sideline, cut in and beat goalkeeper
Shots: CSU Bakersfield 3, UC Santa Barbara 17
Saves: CSU Bakersfield 4 (Eric Shannon 4), UC Santa Barbara 1 (Hayden, Sam 1)
