Santa Barbara Women’s Soccer Team Shines in Preseason Finale
The UC Santa Barbara Women’s Soccer team wrapped up their preseason on a high note, defeating Trinity Western 3-1 at Harder Stadium. This win sets the stage as they aim for another Big West title.
The Gauchos kicked off the match strong. Caitlyn Simons found the net just 8 minutes in, with Olivia Howard providing a slick assist. Despite a few offside calls and fouls, Santa Barbara kept pressing, with Howard scoring herself in the 32nd minute, assisted by Sophia Moness, making it 2-0.
Even with several good chances, the Spartans struggled to capitalize in the first half. UC Santa Barbara remained aggressive, though, with Maddie Buckley making key saves to keep Trinity Western off the scoreboard.
The second half saw continued momentum. Dakota Watterson added another goal in the 54th minute, assisted by Isabella Ong. With a 3-0 lead, the Gauchos looked in control. However, Trinity Western managed a penalty kick goal in the 83rd minute, narrowing the score to 3-1. Despite a few exciting moments for the Spartans, the Gauchos held on for the win.
Many fans are optimistic about the Gauchos’ upcoming season. According to a recent survey, 78% of fans believe that this year’s team is stronger than last year’s title-winning squad. Excitement is growing, especially as they prepare for their opener against LMU on August 14 at 7:30 p.m.
As they step into the 2025 season, all eyes will be on the Gauchos. It’ll be interesting to see how their preseason performance translates into regular-season success. You can catch their games live on ESPN+.
For more on this, check out NCAA Women’s Soccer statistics for a deeper dive into team performances and standings.
