The Gauchos out-class Tritons

The Gauchos out-class Tritons

The Gauchos out-class Tritons 59-19...but not before questions were asked.

It was a beautiful day in La Jolla, Ca where conditions were all but perfect. The Gauchos were set to begin their league season with a bang, but it would be the Tritons that would fire the first shot.

Less than 30 seconds into the match, the Gauchos were penalized at the break down. San Diego would get a line-out ten meters from the line and drove virtually uncontested for the first score. The conversion sailed wide of the posts. The match was barely 60 seconds old.

The Gauchos continued to be on the wrong side of the whistle and the San Diego kicker would cash in each time putting the Tritons up 14-0 at the 20 minute mark with 3 kicks at goal and the unconverted try. It was only then did the Santa Barbara wake up.

A well taken line out at mid field would see Captain Justin Roberts into space. Roberts broke down the right side touch line evading defenders before putting winger Marquise Goodwin into space for the Gauchos first try of the match. Fly Half Jon Schaefer added the extras.

After sustained defensive pressure, Flanker Eric Griffin would notch a big hit on a Triton attacker, forcing him to spill the ball.

Jon Schaefer scooped up the loose ball to race 60 meters to touch down between the sticks. He converted his own try. The score was knotted up 14-all at the break.

After some encouraging words from Gaucho mentor Kevin Battle, the Santa Barbara team came out much more composed and outscored their opponents 7 tries to 1 in the final 40 minutes. The Gauchos used slick handling and superior team speed to take advantage of gaps in the Triton defense.

Marquise Goodwin got things started in the 44th minute, beating two defenders around the corner for his second touchdown of the day. Skipper Justin Roberts would join the scorer's list just moments later as he crossed the line for his first of 2 tries on the day at the 45th minute mark.

Tries then came in rapid fashion with Schaefer (55th minute), Kyle McBride (62nd minute) Mike Zusmanovich (66th minute) Justin Roberts (68th minute) and Schaefer again at the 79th minute. Schaefer would finish the day with 29 points (3 tries and 7 conversions) to lead all scorers.

Man of the match however would go to Captain Justin Roberts, who had multiple line breaks and staunch defense to lead his team to their first league victory of the 2007 campaign.

UCSB Line-up:

1.Evan Brache
2.Andrew Lennie
3.Greg Lee
4. Fabian Munoz
5. Cliff Machado
6.Eric Griffin
7.Justin Roberts (c)
8.Andrew Negus
9.Aaron Melamed
10.Jon Schaefer
11.Andrew Smith
12.Sean Crampton
13.Richard Harris
14.Marquise Goodwin
15.Kyle McBride

16.Anthony Jimenez (48th min for Lee)
17.Harris Markson (70th min for Munoz)
18.Guy Western(65th minute for Griffin)
19. Matt Curnow (60th min for Griffin)
20.Givi Chaichmelachvili (65th min for Goodwin)
21.Mike Zusmanovich(41st minute for Crampton)
22. Luca Malossini (41st minute for Smith)

UCSB - 59
Try Scorers:
Schaefer(3)
Roberts(2)
Goodwin(2)
McBride
Zusmanovich

Conversions:
Schaefer 7 of 9

UCSD - 19
Try Scorers:
Jordan Bruno
George Luu

Penalties:
Cowell 3