SANTA BARBARA, Calif. --- UC Irvine women's soccer dropped its first Big West match of the season in a 1-0 defeat at UC Santa Barbara Thursday night in Harder Stadium.
The decisive strike came early in the second half with the sides scoreless. A giveaway in the Anteater half started UC Santa Barbara (4-8-6, 3-2-3) on the attack. The Gauchos set up their striker Lauren Helwig from distance with nothing UCI keeper
Glo Hinojosa could do to keep that out as the Gauchos took the lead in the 59th minute.
The Anteaters (6-4-6, 2-1-5) began their pursuit for an equalizer.
Destinee Manzo had a pair of chances sail right at UCSB keeper Evann Smith.
Tati Fung received a turnover at the top of the box, turned, and sent in a blast that Smith needed to knock away.
Emilie Castagna had the last final opportunity along the left wing was her sharp-angle shot stopped setting up a corner, but it was not to be for the Anteaters.
FINAL SCORE: UC SANTA BARBARA 1, UC IRVINE 0
- The Anteaters fell for the first time in 11 Big West regular season matches stretching back to October 17, 2021
- The 'Eaters dropped the Gauchos twice in 2021, once in the regular season and again in the Big West Tournament semifinal
- UCI out-shot UCSB 12-7, 9-5 in the second half, and put seven on target
- Destinee Manzo led all players with three shots and two shots on goal with nine different 'Eaters registering a shot and six with a shot on target
- Glo Hinojosa snagged two saves for 131 in her career; her shutout streak came to an end at exactly 173:00
- The defeat leaves UCI at 11 points with two matches remaining and in a tie for sixth place with CSU Bakersfield as UCSB jumps one point ahead
- UCI will also not repeat as regular season champions officially eliminated from the No. 1 spot
The road trip continues with the final road match in the regular season for the Anteaters on Sunday. UC Irvine heads to Cal Poly for a 12:00 p.m. kickoff at Spanos Stadium needing win to stay in contention for the No.2 spot that the Mustangs currently reside in.
