UCSB’s Derek Shoemaker led the Gauchos in scoring during his senior season. (Presidio Sports Photo)
After leading the UCSB men’s water polo team with 47 goals this season, utility Derek Shoemaker was named Honorable Mention All-MPSF, it was announced by the conference last week.
The accolade – which is his first career conference award – comes as the cherry on top of what was an outstanding final season for Shoemaker in a Gaucho uniform.
In addition to being the team’s leading goal scorer, Shoemaker also paced the roster in points with 62, as he also logged 15 assists. In MPSF play, the senior stepped up his game and averaged 2.3 goals per game, finding the back of the net 30 times.
On defense, Shoemaker was second only to goalkeeper Chris Whitelegge with 28 steals, while he chipped in a team-best 17 field blocks.
The senior played his best water polo down the stretch in netting 18 goals in the team’s final eight games, averaging 2.25 per contest. Additionally, his three four-goal efforts came against MPSF opponents, including at No. 5 Stanford.
One of Shoemaker’s biggest goals came in the Gauchos’ home finale when he delivered the game-winner with 0.8 seconds left to defeat No. 7 UC Irvine.
UCLA’s goalkeeper Garrett Danner was voted as the MPSF Player of the Year and Pacific’s James Graham earned Coach of the Year honors. Click here for the complete all-conference list.
