UCSB blanks Cal Poly to claim No. 2 seed, bye in Big West Tournament

On the road against its biggest rival and a sellout crowd, UCSB men’s soccer didn’t blink.

The Gauchos beat Cal Poly 2-0 on Saturday night for their second win over the Mustangs this season, clinching the No. 2 seed and a first round bye in next week’s Big West Tournament.

The crowd of 11,075 fans at Alex G. Spanos Stadium was the largest attendance at an NCAA soccer match in more than a year.

The Gauchos got a first half goal from Will Baynham, who then sent a cross in off Cal Poly’s Josh Graham in the second half, which was credited as an own goal. Gauchos keeper Ben Roach tallied 10 saves and a clean sheet.

The Mustangs are also heading to the Big West Tourney, and will host Cal State Fullerton on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

UCSB will host a semifinal match at 7 p.m. next Saturday against the winner of Cal State Northridge vs. UC Irvine.