Sunday's UCSB-Stanford men's water polo match featured several players from the Santa Barbara Water Polo Club and area high schools. The players are, from left, Brian Shoemaker, Hunter Ploch, Ian Gamble, Conner Cleary, Nick Tomasello, Chase Racich, Derek Shoemaker, and Matt Johnson. Jesse Gillespie not pictured. (Photo by Peter Neushul)
STORY, PHOTOS BY PETER NEUSHUL
Santa Barbara Aquatics Club was well represented Sunday when Stanford, the nation’s no. 1 men’s water polo team, faced off against No. 5 UCSB at the Stanford Aquatics Center.
Stanford’s roster includes Ian Gamble (SBHS), Hunter Ploch (SBHS), and Conner Cleary (DPHS). Cleary started for the Cardinal at center and also served as a two meter defender. Gamble saw significant minutes as an attacker and two meter defender. Ploch is a backup goalie for the Cardinal.
Stanford took over the nation’s top spot last weekend after defeating defending national champion and former no. 1 USC and No. 3 Cal to win their first SoCal tournament title since 2002.
The Gauchos attained their highest ranking of the season by defeating University of the Pacific and UC Irvine at the SoCal tournament where they placed fifth.
Dos Pueblos grad Brian Shoemaker of UCSB defends against Santa Barbara alum Ian Gamble of Stanford.
Santa Barbara club players at UCSB include Jesse Gillespie (Arroyo Grande), Matt Johnson (Righetti), Chase Racich (DPHS), brothers Brian and Derek Shoemaker (DPHS), and Nick Tomasello (Rio Mesa). Gillespie, Racich, and the Shoemakers started for the Gauchos, who led Stanford 4-2 at the half. Racich won all four sprints and drew two ejections on Alex Bowen, Stanford’s leading scorer. Brian Shoemaker scored from outside in the first period to give the Gauchos a lead that they did not relinquish until late the fourth quarter.
In a defensive battle, UCSB led Stanford 4-2 at half and 5-4 late in the fourth quarter on freshman Eric Van de Mortel’s second goal of the match with two minutes to play. The Gaucho’s quieted a large Stanford crowd that revived when the Cardinal drew an ejection and equaled the score with 40 seconds remaining. A steal and breakaway by Stanford’s Jacob Smith with less than 30 seconds remaining led to another ejection and the game-winning goal with four seconds on the clock.
Conner Cleary blocked Brian Shoemaker’s last second attempt to score.
Coach Wolf Wigo noted that the Gauchos are playing well as a team especially considering the number of freshmen seeing significant playing time.
Goalie Myles Christian had an outstanding game that included a spectacular one on one block to preserve the Gaucho lead in the fourth quarter.
Stanford retains the nation’s top ranking and will face the no. 3 UCLA Bruins this Saturday.
UCSB will face UC San Diego on Saturday and the Gaucho Alumni on Sunday.
The game was incredible. Santa Barbara was ahead and playing well. Who knows why Stanford managed to win the game in the last seconds. Bad calls from referees?