A flair for the dramatic has put the UCSB women’s soccer team into the postseason playoffs for the first time since 2015. Two golden-goal victories — Jessica Clegg’s score defeating Sacramento State, 2-1, in the last minute of overtime, and Madeline Gibson stunning Cal, 3-2, with a lightning strike six minutes into overtime — set the tone early in the season.
“Maddie’s shot was one in 50,” Gaucho coach Paul Stumpf said of Gibson’s strike from the top of the penalty area that sailed under the crossbar. “The ball just bounced right for us that day. The soccer gods weren’t smiling on us the last couple years. Maybe we’ve earned some breaks.”
Gibson had no time to think when a defender deflected a ball to her feet. She just let it fly, and, unlike most such attempts that are fouled off like 100mph fastballs, it went deep into the net. “Getting that result was very special for all of us,” said Gibson, a senior midfielder. “That definitely sparked our momentum. We have the talent and the passion and the heart to do well. But soccer is one of those sports where anything can happen.”