Everything fell into place for the UCSB men’s soccer team last Saturday
— including the 10 shots by Cal Poly that fell, or in some cases were propelled,
into the reach of Ben Roach, the Gauchos’ sophomore goalkeeper.
Roach, his stature looming ever larger since his Santa Barbara High
glory days, made a career-high 10 saves and posted his ninth shutout of the season
as the Gauchos defeated the Mustangs, 2-0. The victory lifted them into second place
in the Big West and spared them from having to play in the first round of the conference
tournament. UCSB will face either UC Irvine or Cal State Northridge in a semifinal
match at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 9, at Harder Stadium.
The outcome significantly improved the Gauchos’ chances of getting
into the NCAA tournament, which has not included them in the 48-team bracket since
2015. It’s the longest gap they’ve endured since they entered the fray in 2002,
with the first of 10 consecutive appearances that included a runner-up finish in
2004 and a national title in 2006.