UCSB defeated Pepperdine on Thursday night, 11-9, in a men’s water polo match.
Derek Shoemaker led the Gauchos’ offensive efforts with four goals. Borislav Jovanovic followed with three goals in the game. Chris Whitelegge totaled 15 saves, including a blocked penalty shot.
A Gaucho ejection would earn the Waves’ their first power play goal for the day, but before the first quarter ended Anthony Buljan capitalized on a Pepperdine ejection to bring the score to 1-1.
The second quarter would be the setting for a scoring frenzy from both teams. Borislav Jovanovic earned his first goal of the day on a 6-on-5 power play. Derek Shoemaker followed with a goal two minutes later to put the Gauchos up 3-1.
Pepperdine went on to score twice to tie things up, but the Gauchos continued to press on, earning goals from Mitch Hamilton and Jovanovic. The Waves scored once more before half to bring the score to 5-4.
The third quarter began as a point-for-point face-off between the two teams, but before long the Gauchos would gain momentum again. Shoemaker scored his second goal of the day five seconds off a Pepperdine ejection. The Waves followed with another goal, but goals from Liam Gaughan and Tor Jensen would give the Gauchos a three-point lead.
Pepperdine got in another goal later on, but Jovanovic would extend the Gauchos’ lead with a 9-6 lead going in to the fourth quarter.
Three Pepperdine goals in the fourth quarter would bring them close to UCSB, but goals from Hamilton and Shoemaker would seal the game, 11-9.
