Gauchos pick up a pair of wins in the pool

Last time the UCSB and UC San Diego men’s water polo teams met last season, it took the Gauchos seven overtime periods to defeat the Tritons. No. 7 UCSB was able to take care of the Tritons in a much more expedient fashion on Saturday, defeating No. 10 UCSD, 15-12 in the opening game of the Triton Invitational at La Jolla High School’s Coggan Family Aquatics Center. The Gauchos then went on to beat Cal Lutheran, 18-2, to jump out to a 2-0 start on the year.

Against the Tritons, three Gauchos netted hat tricks to lead UCSB to the win. Sophomore Noah Smith, freshman Brian Shoemaker and senior Sean Castillo tallied three goals apiece. Sophomore Ryen Flint also chipped in a pair.

In the goal, junior Fraser Bunn tallied 10 saves for the Gauchos.

The Gauchos got out to a 4-2 lead in the first quarter, but UCSD chipped away at UCSB’s advantage and came within one goal with 4:45 on the clock in the second quarter behind a pair of points from Steven Donohoe, who tallied a total of seven during the game. Smith, Stefan Partelow and Joe Wood scored consecutive goals to stretch the Gaucho lead to 8-4, the biggest UCSB lead of the game.

UCSD played close through the second half, coming within one goal of the Gauchos on four occasions. With 4:14 left in the game, Donohoe scored his seventh goal of the game to cut the UCSB lead to 13-12. Shoemaker and Castillo helped keep the Tritons at bay with a pair of goals as the Gauchos ended the game with the 15-12 victory.

In the second game of the day against Cal Lutheran, UCSB jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back. Twelve Gauchos scored on the way to the 18-2 victory, including junior Milos Golic and Partelow, who each recorded hat tricks. Brian Bishop and freshman Evan Dellinger each had a pair of goals.

Freshman goalkeeper Myles Christian allowed just two goals while making six stops for UCSB.

The Gauchos will conclude action at the UCSD Triton Invitational on Sunday. They will play Pepperdine at noon and their fourth game of the tourney will be determined by the outcome of that game.

UCSB Goals: Brian Shoemaker 3, Noah Smith 3, Sean Castillo 3, Ryen Flint 2, Stefan Partelow, Milos Golic, Brian Bishop, Joe Wood.
UCSB Saves: Fraser Bunn 10.

UCSB Goals: Milos Golic 3, Stefan Partelow 3, Brian Bishop 2, Evan Dellinger 2, Brian Shoemaker, Sam Evans,Teddy Zhang, Ryen Flint, Chris Dyer, Noah Smith, Kendell Olds, Joe Plume.
UCSB Saves: Myles Christian 6.