'Eaters Drop Big West Semifinal in Penalties

Saturday, November 7

Irvine, Calif.

6:00 PM

UC Irvine

10-6-3, 4-1-1

UC Santa Barbara

9-5-5, 3-1-2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	Final F
UC Santa Barbara	0	0	0	0	0	0
UC Irvine	0	0	0	0	0	0

Elijah Juge challenges a UC Santa Barbara players in a 2026 Big West Semifinal match

Photo by: Matt Brown

November 07, 2026 | Men's Soccer

Box Score

By: Alex Roberts-Croteau

IRVINE, Calif. --- UC Irvine men's soccer fell in a penalty shootout, 0-0 (2-4), in Saturday's Big West Semifinal vs. UC Santa Barbara in Anteater Stadium

Shooting Stars

The first half playing out with UC Irvine on the attack. The 'Eaters took nine shots firing two on target while not allowing any shots of their opponent.
A play in the box in the 13th minute led to a review for a potential handball and penalty. UCI's challenge did not result in a penalty as play continued on.
The ensuing corner eventually landed to Shane Kaemerle with a sliding shot that was snagged by the UCSB keeper.

Tide Turned

The second half brought more UCI chances while UC Santa Barbara's offense began rolling with its share of shots.
The match was highlighted by a large number of fouls and cautions with 24 fouls called on UCSB in regulation and five cautions to each side including three in the first half.
UCI's first half caution to Gustavo Gonzalez was pivotal as a potential foul in the second half was challenged by UCSB. The referees determined a second yellow to Gonzalez leading to a red card and UC Irvine down to ten players in the 54th minute.
The Anteaters held the line on defense as the Gauchos beared down on goal.
Scott Williams was put in to work turning away hard shots in the 77th and 82nd minutes, and his best of the match in the 85th diving to his right to get a glove on a long, low drive helping send the match to overtime.
Both extra periods were fairly uneventful outside of a few UCSB shots that were blocked before getting to goal as the match was destined for a penalty shootout.
Both sides converted the first round of shots with UCSB going up in the second round as Javier Bedolla Vera's attempt was saved.
The Gauchos were up 3-2 after three rounds and scoring to start the fourth round. Joe O'Shaughnessy stepped up for UCI's fourth round try and hit the crossbar to end the match as a 0-0 draw decided by the penalty shootout tiebreaker, 4-2, in favor of UCSB.

UC Santa Barbara 0 (4), UC Irvine 0 (2)

Williams finished with three saves as he ends the season on a shutout streak of 502:51 minutes.
UCI's offense finished with an advantage in shots, 13-11, with UCSB up in corners, 6-5.
The Gauchos doubled up the 'Eaters in fouls, 28-14, with each team contributing five cautions to the 10 on the match.

UC Irvine moves to 10-6-3 on the season as they await the NCAA Tournament selection show on Monday, November 16.