Week in Sports

Four consecutive shutout victories by the UCSB men’s soccer team have captured the attention of national pollsters. The Gauchos (9-2-1) have climbed four spots to No. 3 in the National Soccer Coaches Association/adidas rankings. Undefeated Akron (11-0-0) is No. 1 and North Carolina (8-1-2) No. 2. UCLA (6-2-1) is ranked fourth, close behind UCSB.

The Gauchos hit the road this week for two matches, each postponed a day because of inclement weather. They will take on UC Davis at noon Thursday (Oct. 15) and Cal State Northridge at 3 p.m. Sunday. The games will be broadcast live in Santa Barbara on KIST 1490 AM and KCSB 91.9 FM. There also will be streaming audio on the Internet. See UCSBgauchos.com for information.

In other soccer action this week, UCSB’s women host Long Beach State on Thursday night in a rematch of last year’s Big West championship; the streaking SBCC men’s team (2-1 winners over Moorpark in the rain Tuesday night on a goal by Lee Jackson in the final seconds) will entertain Canyons on Friday night at La Playa Stadium; and Westmont faces Point Loma Nazarene in a pair of homecoming games Saturday at Lovik Field.

San Marcos and Carpinteria are the home teams Friday night at the start of league play in high school football. SBCC begins the second half of its season Saturday evening against visiting Santa Monica College.

UCSB will launch its Legends of the Dome promotion Friday night at the women’s volleyball match between the Gauchos and Pacific. A volleyball star of yore will be the first of five Gaucho greats to be honored during the 2009-10 year. UCSB, which also hosts UC Davis on Saturday, is 6-0 at the Thunderdome after beating Pepperdine in four games Tuesday night.

TOP SPORTING EVENTS: OCTOBER 14-24

Wednesday, October 14

High school boys water polo Nordhoff at Carpinteria, 3:15 p.m.

High school girls volleyball Cate at Laguna Blanca, 4:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 15

College men’s soccer UCSB at UC Davis, 12 p.m.

High school boys water polo San Marcos at Santa Barbara, 3:15 p.m.

High school girls volleyball Buena at San Marcos, 6:30 p.m.

College women’s soccer Long Beach State at UCSB, Harder Stadium, 5 p.m.

Friday, October 16

High school girls volleyball Thacher at Laguna Blanca, 6 p.m.

High school football St. Bonaventure at San Marcos, 7 p.m.; Santa Barbara at Ventura, 7 p.m.; Dos Pueblos at Buena, 7 p.m.; Oak Park at Carpinteria, 7:30 p.m.; Bishop Diego at Oaks Christian, 7:30 p.m.

College women’s volleyball Pacific at UCSB, Thunderdome, 7 p.m.; Oxnard at SBCC, 7 p.m.

College men’s soccer Canyons at SBCC, La Playa Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 17

College men’s soccer Point Loma Nazarene at Westmont, Lovik Field, 1 p.m.

College women’s soccer Point Loma Nazarene at Westmont, Lovik Field, 3:30 p.m.

High school football (eight man) Cate at Dunn, 2 p.m.; Ojai Valley at Laguna Blanca, 3 p.m.

College football Santa Monica at SBCC, La Playa Stadium, 6 p.m.

College women’s volleyball UC Davis at UCSB, Thunderdome, 7 p.m.

Sunday, October 18

Running Cancer Center of Santa Barbara 10K Run and 5K Walk/Run, Montecito Union School, 8 a.m. Sign-up information.

College women’s soccer Seattle University at UCSB, Harder Stadium, 12 p.m.

College men’s soccer UCSB at Cal State Northridge, 3 p.m.

Monday, October 19

Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table press luncheon, Harry’s Plaza Cafe, 12 p.m.

Tuesday, October 20

High school girls golf Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, Santa Barbara GC, 2:30 p.m.

High school girls tennis Dos Pueblos at San Marcos, 3 p.m.; Bishop Diego at Carpinteria, 3 p.m.

High school boys water polo Dos Pueblos at Santa Barbara, 3:15 p.m.; Buena at San Marcos, 3:15 p.m.

College women’s volleyball Hope International at Westmont, 7 p.m.

College women’s soccer Ventura at SBCC, La Playa Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 21

High school girls volleyball Santa Ynez at Dos Pueblos, 6 p.m.; San Marcos at Laguna Blanca, 6:30 p.m.

College

Thursday, October 22

High school boys water polo Buena at Dos Pueblos, 3:15 p.m.

High school girls volleyball Oaks Christian at Bishop Diego, 6 p.m.; Ventura at Santa Barbara, 6:30 p.m.; Buena at Dos Pueblos, 6:30 p.m.

College men’s soccer L.A. Mission at SBCC, La Playa Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

College

Friday, October 23

High school boys water polo Oaks Christian at Carpinteria, 3:15 p.m.

High school football Dos Pueblos at Santa Barbara, 7 p.m.; Ventura at San Marcos, 7 p.m.; Oaks Christian at Carpinteria, 7:30 p.m.; Nordhoff at Bishop Diego, La Playa Stadium, 7:30 p.m.

College women’s volleyball Hancock at SBCC, 7 p.m.

Saturday, October 24

College women’s swimming Oregon State and UCLA at UCSB, 12 p.m.

High school football (eight man) Laguna Blanca at Ojai Thacher, 3 p.m.

College football L.A. Pierce at SBCC, La Playa Stadium, 6 p.m.

College men’s soccer Cal State Fullerton at UCSB, Harder Stadium, 7 p.m.

College women’s volleyball Concordia at Westmont, 7 p.m.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, November 7 Santa Barbara News-Press Half Marathon and 5K, Leadbetter Beach, 8 a.m. Sign-up information..