SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--- Two first half goals were more than enough for UC Santa Barbara as it took down Cal State Fullerton by the final of 3-0 in the Big West opener for both teams Friday night at Harder Stadium.
For Fullerton (3-6, 0-1 Big West), the loss snaps what was two-game winning streak and has now lost three straight conference openers going back to the 2010 campaign.
For UCSB (6-4, 1-0 Big West), the win marks its second straight victory and its fourth in its last six contests.
The Gauchos struck early as Matt Glodack recorded his first goal of the season in the 26th minute, after Achille Campion crossed it into the box to provide the assist to put UCSB up 1-0.
Just over a minute later the Gauchos continued their dominate first half play, as Peter Schmetz headed in his second score of the season in the 28th minute off the Drew Murphy assist to extend the advantage to 2-0 over the Titans.
The Gauchos went into halftime with a 2-0 lead after outshooting the Titans 13-4 and holding a 6-3 edge in the corner kick battle through the first 45 minutes.
UCSB added another score in the second half after Ismaila Jome netted his first goal of the season off the assist by Drew Murphy in the 70th minute to extend the lead to the final score of 3-0.
Tonight was the third time the Titans have been shutout this season, as Fullerton was outshot 18-11 for the game and had one less corner kick opportunity, as UCSB held the 9-8 edge.
Fullerton will try to rebound Sunday when it takes on Cal Poly at 3:00 p.m. in San Luis Obispo.