Fifth ranked UC Santa Barbara defeated No. 9 UC San Diego in the Gauchos final non-conference game of the season. Freshman Chase Racich scored three goals for UCSB in the wire-to-wire victory.
Freshman Derek Shoemaker opened up the scoring, finding the back of the net with 5:26 remaining in the first quarter. Racich also scored in the first, giving the Gauchos the early 2-1 lead going into the second quarter. Junior Brian Shoemaker and freshman Eric Van de Mortel each found the target in the second to put UCSB up 4-2 at halftime. This balanced attack got UCSB out ahead early, letting the Gauchos focus on the defensive side of the pool.
The scoring opened up in the second half for both teams. Four different players scored for the Tritons in the third quarter, almost erasing the Gauchos early lead. But UCSB countered with three goals, including two from freshman Matt Johnson, to keep them ahead 7-6 entering the fourth quarter.
Chase Racich scored with 5:23 remaining in the game to put the Gauchos back up by two. UCSD sophomore Josh Stiling scored his third goal of the match with 3:27 remaining to put some tension on the Gauchos. But Racich again found the back of the net with 1:53 to go, putting the game out of reach for the Tritons.
UC San Diego next plays on Friday, traveling to play Loyola Marymount in Los Angeles. UCSB returns home tonight to host the alumni game tomorrow at Campus Pool. The Gauchos travel to Long Beach next Saturday, then will host the No. 1 USC Trojans on Sunday.
1 2 3 4 Total
UC Santa Barbara 2 2 3 3 10
UC San Diego 1 1 4 2 8
UCSB Goals: Racich 3, D. Shoemaker 2, B. Shoemaker 2, Johnson 2, Van de Mortel
UCSB Goalkeeper Saves: Lovero 8
UC San Diego Goals: Stiling 3, Saber 2, Syka, Donohoe, Butler
UC San Diego Goalkeeper Saves: Morton 13
