UCSB’s men’s water polo team, currently ranked No. 5 in the NCAA, begins conference play on Saturday at USC, the six-time defending national champion.
After a week of being idle, the Gauchos (8-2, 0-0) will travel to No. 4 Southern California (11-2, 1-0). USC has already beaten UCSB this season in a tournament match, defeating UCSB by the score of 12-7 at the Nor Cal Tournament.
On Sunday UCSB returns to Santa Barbara to host No. 6 Long Beach State (9-2, 0-0). The match at Campus Pool begins at noon. The rivalry between the two teams reached another level this season as the Gauchos narrowly triumphed over the 49ers in a sudden death match at the Nor Cal Tournament.
The Gauchos finished fifth at the Nor Cal Tournament and moved up to a season high in the rankings as a result.
Senior Eric Van de Mortel continues to be the offensive leader with 16 goals through eight games, adding five assists and eight steals. Freshman Shane Hauschild is proving to be another important part of the team with 14 goals and eight assists. Junior Ryan Baliani is having a breakout campaign with 13 goals and three assists thus far in the season. The 6-0 junior is impressing on defense with four earned ejections and six field blocks.
