GALLERY | STATS

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – A tough beginning to the second was too much to overcome as Idaho (0-1-0) fell at UC Santa Barbara (1-0-0), 3-0, on opening day.
 
"It was game one," said head coach Derek Pittman.  "First and foremost, credit to UCSB.  They're a very good team, they possess the ball very well, they move it from side to side and they have some tremendous attacking players.  I thought we played an excellent first 45 minutes where we caught them a couple of times and could have scored some chances.
 
"Still at nil-nil at halftime, if our kids come out and continue that we'd be alright.  But obviously we had a tough stretch for a 10 minute period there in the second half and they capitalized and finished three chances.  We'll learn from it, it's game one, no one is pushing the panic button.  We did some very good things but we still have a lot to work on."
 
The Gauchos got the scoring started in the 49th, with Amanda Ball finishing from the penalty spot.  Ball would net her second of the game four minutes later, sending in a lofted shot from 30 yards out that barely snuck in past the outstretched hand of Makayla Presgrave.
 
UCSB would net a third in the 57th minute.  The Gauchos built up down the right side, with Shaelan Murison sending in a low ball across the box.  Chase Schornstein was on the other end, flicking in a shot to the back post for the goal.
 
The Vandals did see some solid play from the reserves, as the second unit provided some good minutes for Pittman's squad.
 
"I thought a number of players came off the bench and played very well tonight," Pittman said.  "In the last 10 minutes of the first half, when we had a number of subs on the field, I thought we actually had some of our best play.  It was nice to see some of those players come off the bench and execute our gameplan and be able to create some opportunities for us."
 
The Vandals make the quick trip out to UC Riverside for a Sunday evening matchup with the Highlanders at 7:30 p.m.  Stay in touch with GoVandals.com for more information ahead of the match.
 
"We just have to get better at what we do," Pittman said.  "Defensively I thought we did a very good job of frustrating Santa Barbara for a good, long period of time but we didn't start the second half the way I would have liked them to.  We need to make sure that we keep that energy, the same energy we had in the first half, and carry that on into the second half.
 
"But that's why we're playing these game, we want to be able to put our players in a position to be challenged by very good teams, and there's no doubt that Santa Barbara will be near the top of the Big West when it's all said and done.  Really proud of our players, we'll watch the film, we'll learn some things and we'll get better for Sunday."
 
Fans can stay up-to-date on all things Idaho soccer by following the team on Twitter and Instagram, @VandalsSoccer, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals Women's Soccer.

For more information on Idaho Athletics, visit GoVandals.com.  Fans can also find Idaho on Twitter and Instagram, @Idaho_Vandals, or on Facebook by searching Idaho Vandals.