Kevin Cappon scored four goals against his his former team, but it wasn’t enough as top-ranked USC defeated No. 6 UCSB, 16-10, in a MPSF men’s water polo match at Campus Pool on Sunday.
Cappon signed with the Trojans in 2011 out of Dos Pueblos High and transferred to UCSB this year.?He and?Eric Van de Mortel led the Gauchos with four goals apiece.
USC led 6-4 after the first quarter and 9-7 at halftime.
In the fourth, Van de Mortel and Cappon each scored to help UCSB on the offensive end. The Trojans, however, were able to record four goals to put the game away. Connor Virjee’s season high of five goals led the Trojans, who improve to 20-1 overall.
Trojans head coach Jovan Vavic cited his team’s 9-of-13 conversion rate on 6-on-5s as a key to the match.
“That was probably the difference in the game,” Vavic said.
The ten goals was just the second time this season that an opponent has reached double figures against USC.
“We gave up too many goals,” Vavic said. “But you have to give Santa Barbara credit. They did a good job in breaking down our defense and creating opportunities.”
UCSB is now 15-6 overall and 2-2 in the MPSF Conference.
BOX SCORE
UCSB 4 3 1 2 ? 10
USC 6 3 3 4 ? 16UCSB Goals: Kevin Cappon 4, Eric Van de Mortel 4, Matt Gronow 2
UCSB Saves: Chris Whitelegge 10USC Goals: Connor Virjee 5, Rex Butler 3, Kostas Genidounias 3, Mace Rapsey 2, Jeremy Davie, Nikola Vavic, Zach Lucas
USC Saves: James Clark 8
