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SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The UC Santa Barbara Women’s Soccer team returns to the pitch Thursday night as they host California Baptist in their first of two home matches this week. Following the August 14 matchup, the Gauchos will host San Diego for a Sunday matinee to close out their opening homestand of the season.
 
LAST TIME OUT
The Gauchos opened their season with a tough loss against WCC opponent LMU. The Gauchos and Lions were tied 1-1 in the final two minutes of the game, but an unfortunate failed clear led to an 89th-minute goal for LMU, taking the opener 2-1. The Gauchos look to bounce back this week and get their first win of the 2025 season.
 
LOOKING AT THE LANCERS
California Baptist played two games last week, winning their home and season opener, 1-0, against Cal State Bakersfield before falling to fifth-ranked USC on Sunday, 4-0. This will be the first of two road contests for the Lancers this week as they take on the Gauchos before heading to Northridge on Sunday, Aug. 24.
 
Junior midfielder Jess Ramirez scored her first goal in a Cal Baptist uniform against Cal State Bakersfield in the fifth minute. It was also her first collegiate goal of her career. In goal, Mikayla O’Brien has allowed four goals, 12 saves and has posted one clean sheet so far this season.
 
TAKING ON THE TOREROS
Like the Gauchos, San Diego played just a single game last week as they took on Big West foe Cal Poly, playing to a 3-3 tie. The Toreros came back three times, responding each time Cal Poly scored a goal. This week USD takes on UC Irvine on Thursday night before coming up the coast to Santa Barbara for their matinee matchup against the Gauchos.
 
Amanda Anders netted two goals in the contest, her first two of her collegiate career. Anders’ goals came in the 32nd minute and 82nd minute of play to salvage a tie for San Diego. The Toreros’ third goal came from Josefine Schlichting on a give-and-go play with Ella Callanan who got an assist on the play.
 
In net, Ilise Medrano played all 90 minutes, making five saves on 20 shots. The junior is back in the net after taking over the starting role a year ago. During the 2024 season Medrano posted a 2.02 goals-against average with 74 saves and three clean sheets.
 
FOLLOW ALONG
UC Santa Barbara and California Baptist will kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Harder Stadium on Thursday, August 14. Following the contest the Gauchos and Toreros will kick off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, August 21. Both matches can be streamed on ESPN+ with live stats available through ucsbgauchos.com/WSOCLiveStats.