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 Men's Water Polo](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB-WP.jpg)
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 Kostas Genindounias](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB3.jpg)
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](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB1.jpg)
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](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB2.jpg)
USC’s Kostas Genidounias and UCSB’s Eric Van de Mortel meet for a jump ball to start the second half
![UCSB vs USC men's water polo](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB11.jpg)
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.
![UCSB vs USC Men's water polo](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB5.jpg)
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.
![UCSB vs USC men's water polo](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB9.jpg)
USC head coach Jovan Vavic talks to his team during a timeout. Vavic is 440-65 as the Trojan head coach.
![UCSB water polo vs USC Trojans](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB7.jpg)
UCSB’s Matt Gronow and goalie Chris Whitelegge block the obvious angles for USC’s Kostas Genindounias
![UCSB water polo vs. USC Trojans](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB8.jpg)
USC’s defense allows the fewest goals per game of any MPSF team.
![UCSB men's water polo vs. No. 1 USC Trojans](https://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/USC-UCSB4.jpg)
USC’s Kostas Genindounias added three goals to his season total of 56, two behind team leader Nikola Vavic.