Gauchos Blank Titans, End CSF's Title Hopes Nov. 12, 2003 - Santa Barbara, Calif.
Neil Jones’ goal in the 72nd minute Wednesday night gave the UC Santa
Barbara men’s soccer team a 1-0 Big West Conference victory over
Cal State Fullerton.
Junior goalkeeper Dan Kennedy posted his sixth shutout of the year to
propel UCSB to 14-4-1 on the year and 6-3-0 in Big West play. The
loss ended a 4-match unbeaten string for Fullerton and dropped the Titans
to 8-9-2 and 3-5-1 in conference action.
The Gauchos controlled most of the match in the first half, outshooting
Fullerton 8-2 at the break, but Titans' goalkeeper Sam Reynolds kept the
visitors in the match make three critical saves in the first 45 minutes.
UCSB seniors David McGill, Matt Kubota, and Darren Doi excelled
in the midfield all match, dominating the center of the field on the Gauchos’
Annual Senior Night. The trio, along with the Gauchos back line,
limited the CSF to just seven shots on the night.
UCSB rattled off 19 shots in the match, highlighted by Jones’ 12th
goal of the season in the 72nd minute off of a perfect Tony Lochhead corner
kick. Lochhead set an arching liner toward the Titans near post
and Jones managed to slip his defender and slam the ball into the top
corner with head. The goal was Jones’ third game-winner of
the season.
In goal Kennedy made five saves on the night, including two at point blank
to keep the game scoreless.
Neil Jones’ six shots paced the game, while junior defender Tony
Lochhead who played in the midfield tonight, was second on the team with
five. Midfielders Ignacio Cid and Samuel Rivas led the Titan attack
with two apiece.
The Gaucho now travel to UC Irvine to close out the 2003 regular season
on Saturday, November 15th at 7:00 p.m. in Anteater Stadium. UCSB,
who remains one point behind Cal State Northridge in the conference standing
thanks to a 4-2 at Cal Poly tonight, still has a shot at a third straight
Big West Title. Should the Matadors lose or tie at Cal State Fullerton
this Saturday, a Gaucho win will solidly a third consecutive crown and
an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
