MALIBU — No. 7 UC Santa Barbara (4-1) traveled south for a midweek showdown against No. 9 Pepperdine (2-1). Capitalizing on seven out of eight 6-on-5 opportunites, Santa Barbara came out on top against the Waves, 12-6.
After surrendering the opening goal to Pepperdine, UCSB rebounded with two goals in a span of 90 seconds. Junior Bryan Snyder got the Gauchos going with a 3:13 score during the first 6-on-5 opportunity. Shortly after, junior Cameron Yates netted the second goal of the period to give visiting UCSB the 2-1 edge.
UCSB continued its offensive streak with three consecutive goals. With the lead stretched to 5-1, Pepperdine finally broke the cold streak with a 3:12 score. The Gauchos finished the half strong with another goal from Snyder to make the score 6-3.
UCSB scored the opening goal of the half, as freshman Shane Hauschild capitalized on another man up situation. Senior Brendan McElroy scored his second score of the match with an impressive 5:57 goal. Junior attacker Kevin Cappon capped off the third period with a goal of his own to give the the Gauchos a comfortable 9-5 lead entering the final period.
Thriving offensively throughout the match, the Gauchos changed gears with a solid defensive effort in the final moments of the match. After conceding an early goal to the Waves, UCSB finished the game off without another goal given. The offense sealed the game as the team scored three goals within the last two minutes. Junior Ryan Baliani score two as sophomore Andrew Judge tallied a late goal to give the Gauchos the 12-6 road victory.
Offensively, Brendan McElroy, Bryan Snyder, and Ryan Baliani led the Gauchos with two goals each. Senior goalkeeper, Chris Whitelegge once again had a solid day in the cage with 8 total saves in the match.
Santa Barbara will open its home schedule this Saturday, Sep. 13, at noon as the team will host No. 10 UC San Diego at Campus Pool.
UCSB 12, Pepperdine 6
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |
| UCSB | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| Pepperdine | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 |
UCSB Goals: Brendan McElroy (2) Bryan Snyder (2) Ryan Baliani (2) Kevin Cappon, Nick Wiley, Shane Hauschild, Samer Alkateb, Andrew Judge, Cameron Yates
UCSB Saves: Chris Whitelegge (8)
Pepperdine Goals: Jacob Schrimpf (2) Wesley Sherburne, Brock Liebhardt, Cristian Bridley, Charles Olsen
Pepperdine Saves: Zachary Rhodes (8)
