Missed opportunities proved costly for UCSB in a 14-12 loss to Long Beach State in a MPSF water polo match on Sunday at a packed Campus Pool.
The fifth-ranked Gauchos missed a penalty shot and failed to score on a pair of 6-on-5 chances in the third period. Sixth-ranked Long Beach State, meanwhile, was able to open up a 12-8 lead.
The 49ers were leading 13-9 in the fourth period when UCSB was awarded another penalty shot. Freshman Shane Hauschild converted, drilling a shot to the lower right corner. The goal gave the Gauchos a boost with six minutes remaining in the match.
But Long Beach State countered with a goal from Nolan McConnell with 4:22 left to give the 49ers a 14-10 lead.
Kevin Cappon and Brendan McElroy sparked a late Gaucho surge with back to-back goals, making it 14-12 with 1:23 left to play.
But Long Beach was able to work down the clock and escape with the narrow win.
The last time these teams met, UCSB pulled out a 14-13 win.
Cappon and Bryan Snyder each scored three goals to lead UCSB (8-4, 0-2). Long Beach State (10-2, 1-0) got three goals from
Dimitrios Lappas and Nolan McConnell and two goals from Devin Mefford and Zacchary Kappos.
