Story by Walter Khalil Hines

The Oregon Ducks fought back in the second half after two first half goals from the UCSB Gauchos Friday, September 4th. Friday was the Ducks only matchup for week three and proved to be a struggle through out most of the game.

Santa Barbara implemented a heavy pressure early in the match and was able to take advantage on some mistakes leading to an impressive right footed strike from Forward Lauren Elwig in the 24th minute. Then, twenty minutes later, substitute Dylan Lewis used headed a cross into the net to extend the lead 2-0.

Things had to change for the Ducks in half number two, and they did, the Ducks possessed the ball and played with more control with players like Chai Cortez and Zoe Hasenaur putting their feet on the ball more, and it led to results. Hasenaur put the Ducks on the board with a PK in the 60th minute after an Evan Smith penalty.

To make things even more interesting, Ally Cook followed up the first goal with the tying score in the 84th minute with a header from Chai Cortez off a free kick opportunity. It was the culmination of heavy effort in the second half that saw the Ducks take free kick after free kick that yielded no results.

In a battle of hearts and strength, this game saw 39 combined fouls called, including five total bookings. However, it was not without its own efforts in skill seeing 18 shots on goal, and 13 saves.

The match continued into Golden Goal extra time, with both teams having oppurtunities but not being able to put a victory into the win column. The Ducks were able to avoid their first loss of the season (2-0-2), and the Gauchos just missed on added their second victory of the season, having to settle for the record (1-2-2).