IRVINE – The No. 6 UC Santa Barbara men’s water polo team took on No. 11 Concordia and No. 3 University of Pacific on its first day participating in the SoCal Tournament in Irvine. The Gauchos opened the tournament with an 11-6 win over Concordia before falling 10-8 to Pacific.
UCSB opened the first game with a goal from sophomore Matthew Hamilton only two minutes into play. The Gauchos were able to score three more goals before Concordia was able to sneak one in with 0:51 left in the first quarter.
The Gauchos kept up the momentum up as they opened the second quarter with three goals to maintain their lead after the first half 7-2. UC Santa Barbara cruised through the second half, ultimately leading to its 11-6 win over Concordia.
UC Santa Barbara came out ready to play against Pacific in its second game of the day. Sophomore Nicholas Jordan opened the game with a goal for the Gauchos within one minute. Sophomore Chris Whitelegge was a force behind goal, only allowing one goal in during the first quarter for the Tigers.
Both teams went back in forth with goals, ending the first half with the Tigers up 5-4. Senior Matt Gronow led the Gauchos with three goals, but it wasn’t enough as Pacific eventually secured its 10-8 victory over UCSB.
The Gauchos will take on Long Beach State at 9:25 a.m. on Sunday as they continue their matches in the SoCal Tournament. Depending on the outcome of the game, the Gauchos will play again later in the day.
BOX SCORES
1 2 3 4 Final UCSB 4 3 2 2 11 Concordia 1 1 2 2 6 UCSB Goals: Bryce Miller 3, Eric Van de Mortel 2, Matthew Hamilton 2, Kevin Cappon, Matt Gronow, Tyler Martin, Nick Wiley
UCSB Saves: Chris Whitelegge 14Concordia Goals: Pham 2, Buhagiar, Reichel, Mundell, Paulson
Concordia Saves: Saunders 12
1 2 3 4 Final UCSB 1 3 2 2 8 Pacific 1 4 2 3 10 UCSB Goals: Matt Gronow 3, Derek Shoemaker 2, Eric Van de Mortel, Steven Tedsen, Kevin Cappon
UCSB Saves: Chris Whitelegge 11Pacific Goals: Oliveira 3, Grady 2, Tomasevic 2, Szabo, Erdelyi, Obert
Pacific Saves: Malkis 13
