The No. 6 UC Santa Barbara men’s water polo team held No. 1 Pacific to a two-goal game on Sunday. UCSB fell just short in their last home game of the season as the Tigers escaped with an 11-9 victory.
Pacific opened the game with two goals to take an early 2-0 lead. Sophomore Kevin Cappon responded with a goal before senior Matt Gronow recorded another goal to tie the game 2-2. The Tigers were able to score two more goals, ending the first quarter 4-2.
The Tigers were able to open the second quarter with a goal before sophomore Nicholas Jordan snuck a goal in from whole set. With 1:43 left in the first half, senior Bryce Miller fired another goal in for the Gauchos. Pacific was able to get one more goal in, ending the first half 7-4.
Junior Derek Shoemaker opened the third quarter with a goal for UCSB. The Tigers tried to break away, but the Gauchos held them to a 10-7 game heading into the fourth quarter.
The Gauchos had incredible offense and defense in the fourth quarter. Junior Eric Van de Mortel opened the quarter with a goal, before his teammate Matt Gronow tallied another to make it a tight 10-9 game. Sophomore Chris Whitelegge was a force in the goal, recording seven of his 16 saves during the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the Tigers were able to secure their win as they scored with 0:24 left in the game, defeating the Gauchos 11-9.
UC Santa Barbara is now 16-8 overall and 3-4 in the MPSF Conference. UCSB men’s water polo continues its 2013-2014 season next Sunday, Nov. 17 as they take on No. 2 UCLA in Los Angeles at 11 a.m.
Pacific 11, UCSB 9
1 2 3 4 Final Pacific 4 3 3 1 11 UCSB 2 2 3 2 9 UCSB Goals: Derek Shoemaker 2, Matt Gronow 2, Matt Hamilton, Eric Van de Mortel, Nicholas Jordan, Kevin Cappon, Bryce Miller
UCSB Saves: Chris Whitelegge 16Pacific Goals: Tomasevic 3, Erdelyi 2, Oliveira 2, Laczkovics 2, Fleming 1, Stevenson 1
Pacific Saves: Malkis 10
