Sports Highlights: Nov. 15-23

UCSB begins what it hopes will be a long run into the college soccer postseason tonight (Fri., Nov. 15) at Harder Stadium. The Gauchos (12-4-3) take on Cal State Northridge (14-5-1) in a Big West Tournament men’s semifinal at 7 p.m. UCSB went 7-0-3 in the conference and was runaway winner of the North Division. Northridge (5-4-1) was the runner-up to UC Irvine in the South Division. Irvine hosts UC Davis in the other semifinal, and because the South overall had a winning record against the North, the championship match Sunday would be held in Irvine if the Anteaters win tonight.

The Big West’s top three teams all are ranked in the Division 1 top 25 – UCSB (8th in RPI, 10th on the coaches’ poll), Irvine (19th/18th) and Northridge (22nd/25th) – and they are in position to be included in the NCAA tournament next week.

Northridge won last year’s conference tournament after UCSB missed out on the postseason for the first time in 11 years. The Gauchos turned things around this fall. They finished the regular season on an 11-match undefeated streak, including a 2-1 overtime victory at Northridge on Oct. 11.

The Matadors, led by Sagi Lev-Ari’s 13 goals, have outscored their opponents, 40-20. UCSB’s season scoring margin is 29-16. The French tandem of Achille Campion and Goffin Boyoko lead the Gauchos with seven goals each. Campion has been recovering from a hamstring injury.

In high school action, the CIF playoffs continue in football, boys water polo and girls volleyball. The latest matchups are below. They will be updated after each round.

COLLEGE HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, 11/15: Women’s soccer – GSAC Tournament final: Westmont at Concordia, 1 pm; Hancock at SBCC, 2 pm. Men’s soccer – Big West Tournament semifinal: Cal State Northridge at UCSB, 7 pm. Women’s basketball – San Diego City at SBCC, 7 pm.

Saturday, 11/16: Football – SBCC at West L.A., 1 pm. Women’s basketball – Arizona at UCSB, 2 pm; Fullerton at SBCC, 5 pm. Women’s volleyball – Hope International at Westmont, 7 pm; UCSB at Cal State Northridge, 7 pm. Men’s basketball – Utah State at UCSB, 7 pm.

Tuesday, 11/19: Women’s basketball – Bakersfield at SBCC, 5 pm.

Wednesday, 11/20: Women’s volleyball – L.A. Mission at SBCC, 6 pm.

Thursday, 11/21: Men’s basketball – UCSB at Colorado, 5 pm. Women’s basketball – UCSB at St. Mary’s, 6 pm. MTXE Tournament: L.A. Southwest at SBCC, 8 p.m.

Friday, 11/22: Women’s basketball – MTXE Tournament at SBCC: Semifinals, 2pm-8pm. CHM Hotels Invitational at Westmont: Carroll (Mont.) vs. Westmont, 6 pm; Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) vs. The Masters, 8 pm. Women’s volleyball – Cal State Fullerton at UCSB, 7 pm.

Saturday, 11/23: Women’s basketball – CHM Hotels Invitational at Westmont: Carroll vs. The Masters, 1:30 pm; Freed-Hardeman vs. Westmont, 3:30 pm. MTXE Tournament at SBCC: Consolation, 12 pm; Third place, 2 pm; Championship, 4 pm. UCSB at Santa Clara, 5:30 pm. Women’s volleyball – UC Riverside at UCSB, 7 pm. Men’s basketball – Pomona-Pitzer at Westmont, 9 pm.

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Friday, 11/15: Girls tennis – CIF Division 5 final: Carpinteria vs. Riverside Poly at Claremont Club, 1:30 pm. Football – CIF playoffs: Bishop Diego at North Torrance, 7:30 pm; Carpinteria at LaSalle, 7:30 pm; Laguna Blanca at Coast Union, 7 pm; Cate at Faith Baptist, 2:30 pm.

Saturday, 11/16: Boys water polo – CIF quarterfinals: Dos Pueblos at Santa Ana Foothill, 12 pm; San Marcos vs. Agoura at Oaks Christian, 4 pm. Girls volleyball – CIF quarterfinals: Paraclete at Cate, 5 pm; Laguna Blanca at El Segundo Vistamar, 6 pm.

Tuesday, 11/19: Girls volleyball – CIF semifinals.

Friday, 11/22: Football – CIF playoffs: El Segundo at Carpinteria, 7:30 pm; Bishop Diego at Duarte, 7:30 pm.

RUNNING, WALKING, CYCLING

Information for most events: sbrunning.org.

NOVEMBER: 23 – UCSB Recreational Sports 10K/5K Turkey Trot. 24 – Santa Barbara Red Rock 50 Mile and Marathon Trail Run, Rancho Oso Guest Ranch. 28 – Run Santa Barbara Thanksgiving 4-Miler.

DECEMBER: 14 – Elings Park Terrain Festival.