IRVINE, Calif. – Extra time was needed for the fourth-ranked UC Santa Barbara men’s soccer team to take down No. 19 UC Irvine on Saturday night, as the Gauchos captured a 1-0 victory at Anteater Stadium on Tim Pontius’ header in the 103rd minute.
 
After 100 minutes of play, the Gauchos and Anteaters were deadlocked at 0-0, forcing double overtime. Just over two minutes into the second overtime period, Michael Tetteh was fouled and the Gauchos were awarded a free kick. Danny Barrera chipped the ball diagonal to the far post on the free kick towards Martin Hedevag. The senior then headed the ball into the box to Pontius who knocked the ball in for the golden goal, which was also the first of his career.
 
The win over UC Irvine improves the Gaucho record to 13-3-1 overall and 7-1-0 in the Big West. UCSB now has sole possession of first place in conference with 21 points and is guaranteed at least its share of the Big West regular season title. UC Irvine falls to 12-5 overall and 5-3 in league play.
 
The match was a defensive battle with the teams combining for a total of 46 fouls and seven yellow cards. Offensively, UCI out-shot the Gauchos 12-9 with six of its shots being fired in the first half. Fortunately for the Gauchos, goalkeeper Sam Hayden was once again solid.
 
Hayden recorded a season-high tying six saves in the goal and posted his 11th shutout of the season and his seventh in eight games. The junior is now tied third with Bob Tuler (1978) in the UCSB record books for shutouts in a single season.
 
Anteater Amani Walker led all players with three shots on-goal and for the Gauchos, David Walker and Waid Ibrahim each recorded a pair on-frame.
 
The Gauchos will continue Big West action on Wednesday, Nov. 4 when they head to Cal Poly for a 7 p.m. match-up. UCSB will then conclude its regular season conference schedule at home on Saturday, Nov. 7 with a game against UC Davis at 7 p.m. at Meredith Field at Harder Stadium.
 
“We were anticipating that tonight was going to be a test of character and it turned out to be just that,” said head coach Tim Vom Steeg after the win.