The UCSB men’s lacrosse team held off visiting Claremont 12-9 on Saturday, claiming a key North/West Divisional win that kept the Gauchos atop the Southwestern Lacrosse Conference standings with three games left on the regular season schedule.
UCSB defender Joe Walsh
The Gauchos, who also beat UCLA 9-4 on Feb 20, are tied with Chapman for the division lead at 2-0. The Panthers and UCSB don’t meet until the regular season finale on April 24. According to LaxPower.com, Chapman is the No. 6 team in the Men’s Collegiate Lacrosse Association, while UCSB is No. 13.
In Saturday’s defeat of Claremont, Nate Wellin and Jamie Bridgman recorded hat tricks for UCSB, which scored four unanswered goals in the second period to open up an 8-4 lead. Bridgman’s third goal came soon after halftime, making it 9-4 thanks to five straight for the Gauchos.
Claremont, which is 0-3 in divisional play but 8-3 overall, outscored UCSB 5-3 the rest of the way.
Senior goalkeeper Zack Carson made 17 saves. Freshman CJ Jacobs added two goals and an assist on offense.
UCSB has two matches before Chapman, starting with No. 12 Loyola Marymount this Saturday at UCSB. The Gauchos travel to No. 29 USC the following Saturday.
