SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A pair of second-half goals proved to be the difference as the Cal women's soccer team topped UC Santa Barbara, 2-0, on Friday night at Harder Stadium. The Golden Bears (2-0-0, 0-0-0 Pac-12) remained unbeaten on the early season and registered their second consecutive shutout, while handing the Gauchos (0-1-2, 0-0-0 Big West) their first defeat of the year.
After a scoreless first 45 minutes, the Bears broke the game open in the second half to pick up their first road win of the year.
Both Cal goals came off of headers, as
Denae Antoine and
Emma Westin each found the back of the net for the second time this season. Antoine opened the scoring in the 48
th minute, tallying her second goal in as many games. Sophomore midfielder
Paige Metayer served a ball into the area, which found an on-rushing Antoine at the top of the six-yard-box. The redshirt sophomore headed the service past UCSB goalkeeper Hanna DeWeese to open the scoring and registered the second goal of her Golden Bear career. It also marked the first collegiate assist for Metayer, who is now up to three points on the season after a goal in last week's season opener vs Weber State.
The Bears doubled their lead in the 63
rd minute after senior striker
Abi Kim served a cross into the box, which found an on-rushing Westin at the back post. The Swedish international headed it past DeWeese for her second goal of the year, both of which have been assisted by Kim.
Antoine nearly added another for the Bears in the 81
st minute, but her strike was saved at the near post. DeWeese finished with five saves on the night while Cal freshman
Angelina Anderson played all 90 minutes for the Bears, making one save as she registered her first collegiate shutout.
Overall, the Bears held a 7-1 advantage in shots on target and 12-8 in overall shots. UCSB had the overall advantage in cornerkicks, leading the Bears in that category, 5-2.
Cal looks to continue its winning ways on Sunday, when the Bears take on San Diego State (1-2-0, 0-0-0 Mountain West) at 12 p.m. PT at the SDSU Sports Deck.
For more information and updates on the Golden Bears throughout the year, follow the team on Twitter (
@CalWSoc), Instagram (
@CalWSoc), and Facebook (
Facebook.com/CalWSoc).