SACRAMENTO, California – Despite leading for 88 minutes, the Gauchos ended up with a tie against Sacramento State on Thursday. An 89th-minute goal by the Hornets tied the game and held until the final whistle.

BY HEAD COACH PAUL STUMPF
“We are obviously very disappointed that we did not get our first win of the season,” said Stumpf. “We should have scored two or three goals if we had created the quality of the chances. And then to concede a goal from a throw-in less than two minutes before the end is very difficult to cope with.”



HOW IT HAPPENED
Sacramento State had the first scoring opportunity of the game with two shots from Ellie Farber before the eighth minute.



Jessica Carlton turned the momentum for the Gauchos in the 15th minute with a shot into the right corner. The shot was saved by Sacramento goalkeeper Izzy Palmatier. UC Santa Barbara had two more good chances to take an early lead, with a blocked shot from Olivia Howard followed by another shot from Carlton.


Howard stayed on the attack after a corner kick was awarded to the Gauchos. Despite another push by the Gauchos, the game still remained 0-0 in the 30th minute. The two teams exchanged shots, including four from Sacramento State in three minutes, but to no avail.


Five minutes before the end of the first half Isabella Ongs The blocked shot landed at the feet of the Gauchos. Haley Phillips passed the ball on Emma Corcoran Who found Chayse Yu in the middle of the Gauchos’ attacking third. Yu shot from 25 meters and beat Palmer, giving the Gauchos a 1-0 lead at halftime.

 

The Gauchos’ first goal of the season was scored by Chayse Yu!#GoGauchos pic.twitter.com/AfXWjIJPI9

— UC Santa Barbara Women’s Soccer (@UCSBWomenSoccer) 22 August 2024

Three shots from the Gauchos kept the energy high early in the second half, but Sacramento State quickly regained possession and scored three shots in the 65th minute. One shot was aimed at goal but was blocked by Sabrina Hinz.

The Gauchos fought their way to a two-goal lead with six shots on goal late in the game. With two minutes left, Sacramento’s Farber equalized in the 89th minute. The 1-1 score would remain until the end.

Next

The Gauchos will have a few days to recover before facing the Fresno State Bulldogs at home at Harder Stadium on Sunday, August 25. Kickoff is at 12 p.m., streaming on ESPN+.