RIVERSIDE, Calif. – A wild second half saw UC Riverside and UC Santa Barbara trade two goals apiece in a span of 14 minutes on Sunday, but a late winner with 22 minutes remaining saw the Highlanders fall 3-2 in another goal fest with the Gauchos at the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium.
Sunday's thriller was the series' fourth 3-2 scoreline in the past eight meetings.
UC Riverside controlled possession early on with just one shot, but all it took was one attempt as well for UC Santa Barbara to find the 1-0 advantage in the 12th minute after Cassia Souza came off her line. Caela Kaio relieved Souza in net in the 23rd minute for her first appearance since September 11 against New Mexico and sixth overall, making four saves in 67 minutes on Sunday.
Alexandra Hargrave sent in UCR's third corner kick of the afternoon in the 24th minute and connected with Leyna Wood, who put it past the far post inches away from a potential equalizer. Kameron Henry streaked down the left side in the 30th minute and cut inside before sending it in for McKenzie Moore, but the Gaucho back line broke up the attack.
Henry won a penalty in the 35th minute and Hargrave's attempt was blocked before a rebound shot also went straight to Santa Barbara's keeper. UC Riverside played keepaway as the half wound down, but the Gauchos' compact defensive midfield forced the Highlanders to go down the wings for any chance at the back of the net.
Hargrave finally broke through the middle of the pitch in the 43rd minute weaving through defenders, but sailed it just over the bar from the top of the 18. The redshirt junior had one more crack at goal before halftime and passed it off to Kelsey Musolf, who fired it wide of the near post.
Kaio got a left paw on a 52nd minute rocket destined for the top shelf before the Gauchos doubled their lead two minutes later in what would turn into a 14-minute goalfest. The offensive outburst likened itself to UCR's 4-1 win at Portland State earlier this year, when both sides combined for three goals in two minutes.
UC Riverside found a renewed sense of energy in the 57th minute after Braelynn Llamoca converted from the penalty spot, before Llamoca added an assist on Charisma Benitez's 64th-minute equalizer. Benitez notched her second goal of the season in as many clutch situations, last scoring in the 82nd minute of UCR's 1-1 draw against LMU back on September 18.
The level scoreline would not last though, as Santa Barbara pulled back a go-ahead score in the 68th minute. UCR in the 75th minute found several good looks from close range but could not convert. A last gasp effort in the final 10 minutes bounced around the box, but the Highlanders were unable to level.
UC Riverside is island-bound next, traveling to Hawaii on Thursday, October 20 for a 10:00 p.m. kickoff on ESPN+.
