PHOTO GALLERY INTRO: USC’s No. 1-ranked men’s water polo team shook off UCSB on Sunday in Santa Barbara as the Trojans buckled down in the second half to dispose the Gauchos 16-10.
The Gauchos, ranked No. 6 in the country, became only the second team to score at least 10 goals against the Trojans this year. USC improves to 20-1 while UCSB is 15-6.
USC, the five-time defending national champion, has now defeated Santa Barbara 46 times in a row. Find video highlights and post-game interviews HERE
While Nikola Vavic recently became USC’s all-time leading scorer, it was Connor Virjee who led the Trojans in scoring with a game-high five goals. It was a season high for Virjee.
UCSB’s Kevin Cappon, a transfer from USC, was the Gauchos’ leading scorer on Sunday against his former team.
UCSB’s Kevin Cappon pressures USC’s Connor Virjee on a shot attempt. The 16 goals were easily the most given up by the Gauchos this season.
UCSB’s Kevin Cappon and USC’s Nick Bell face off against each other. Cappon and Eric Van de Mortel shared the team-high with four goals each.
USC’s Kostas Genidounias and UCSB’s Eric Van de Mortel meet for a jump ball to start the second half
USC’s Jeremy Davie scored the game’s first goal as the Trojans opened up an early 3-0 lead. The two teams kept the scorekeeper busy during the first quarter, combining to score 10 goals in the first frame.
On the defensive end, Mac Carden keeps a close eye on UCSB’s Kevin Cappon. Both teams’ defenses allowed well over their season averages for goals against.
USC head coach Jovan Vavic talks to his team during a timeout. Vavic is 440-65 as the Trojan head coach.
UCSB’s Matt Gronow and goalie Chris Whitelegge block the obvious angles for USC’s Kostas Genindounias
USC’s defense allows the fewest goals per game of any MPSF team.
USC’s Kostas Genindounias added three goals to his season total of 56, two behind team leader Nikola Vavic.
