Late Goal Sinks Vaqueros Against San Diego Mesa

SANTA BARBARA, CA – The SBCC women's soccer team battled hard on Friday as it took on San Diego Mesa at La Playa Stadium, but after an 80-minute stalemate, a late goal gave the Olympians a 1-0 victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED
It was an evenly-matched opening half between two sides riding hot streaks, as the Vaqueros (7-2-5) put an eight-match unbeaten run on the line against Mesa's (8-4-1) three-game win streak. As the teams settled in, San Diego would have the ball in its attacking third more often than SBCC, forcing two saves from goalkeeper Analea Pule, but things remained scoreless at the half.

The game flowed differently in the second 45 minutes and the Vaqueros would get their best opportunity of the game with an amazing chance in the 52nd minute. A low cross from the left side made it across the box to Aly Springer, who popped the ball up towards goal and forced an acrobatic save by goalkeeper Jaleena Rihan. The rebound fell to Hannah McLain, who ran up on the ball for a first-time effort at the top of the box that banged off the crossbar.

The Vaqueros kept the pressure on, getting another good chance in the 62nd minute as Springer curled a good-looking shot from the right side to force another save. Another rebound opportunity came to Theresa English, but her shot sailed high.

Santa Barbara outshot San Diego 6-5 in the second half, but the Olympians would finally open the scoring with a header from Amya Jones that proved to be the game-winner.

Jones' goal ended the longest unbeaten run SBCC has had since 2019, giving the Vaqueros just their second loss of the season.

NEXT UP
SBCC will play its next two games on the road against WSC opposition, starting with a Tuesday, Oct. 25 match at Ventura at 7:00 p.m.