We did it again! Win or lose, Gaucho fans would be proud of the men’s soccer team in our rivalry games with Cal Poly. But luckily, at our home games for the past fourteen years we haven’t been disappointed. Last Friday night, the boys did it again with a 2-0 win over the Mustangs in a nationally televised game. After a loss at Cal Poly earlier this season, the boys were eager to prove who reigns in this coastal rivalry and sure enough, we still do.
While the boys are surely the stars of this game, the fans are actually the stars of this decade’s long rivalry. In a school without a football team, we are still proud of our school spirit on the soccer field, and without the sounds of thousands cheering and anxiously awaiting a goal, where would the passion be? UCSB students make Harder Stadium roar, and regardless of the score, there will always be tortillas flying down the field in Harder Stadium. College athletics is not just about the win, but revolves around the student body coming together—even if that’s just to yell, “Ole Ole Ole Ole, Gauchos Gauchos,” until our voices run hoarse. But thankfully, Gauchos were able to celebrate our school spirit, an amazing fan base, and a fantastic win this year!
Since our last home game loss to Cal Poly in 1998, a lot has changed for both schools, but the rivalry remains the same. Although it’s light hearted, the Central Coast rivalry gives fans an extra sense of accomplishment as our winning stats light up the score board. There’s something special about that feeling you get when you tell someone from Cal Poly that you’re a Gaucho. Something that a smirk because you know our soccer team is better than theres.
As our boys continue on in search of another national championship, make sure we continue to support them in the stands. We will be hosting UC Davis this Wednesday night in a Big West Tournament Semifinals game, and then hopefully traveling on to the Big West Tournament game this weekend. Let’s go Gauchos!!