Irvine, Calif.—One day after falling to No. 2 UCLA (18-2, 2-0 MPSF), No. 3 UC Santa Barbara (15-5, 1-2 MPSF) bounced back with a win over No. 6 UC Irvine (14-5, 0-2 MPSF) at Anteater Aquatics Complex Sunday afternoon. Losing their first two conference matches, UCSB got their first conference win by defeating Irvine, 13-7. After losing to the Anteaters earlier in the season at the Northern California Invitational, the Gauchos were seeking revenge.

UC Santa Barbara started off fast as they scored four goals in the first four minutes of the match. Dylan Baliani had two of those goals as Derek Shoemaker and Nick Tomasello scored the other two. With 3:15 left in the opening period, Evan Dellinger increased the lead for the Gauchos to 5-2.

UCSB continued to score goals in the second period as Jake Miller scored with 7:19 remaining in the first half. The Gauchos defense shutdown Irvine's offense as they kept the Anteaters scoreless in the second period. Goals from Teddy Zhang and Brendan McElroy gave UCSB a comfortable 8-3 lead at the half.

Opening the third period with a demanding lead, UC Santa Barbara kept the pressure on UC Irvine. After a 6:23 goal by Jake Miller, the Gauchos scored three unanswered goals by Brian Shoemaker, Bryce Miller and Evan Dellinger. With the offense continuing to impress, UCSB ended the third period with a 12-7 lead.

The fourth period was no different as the Gauchos' defense did not allow anymore goals. Evan Dellinger completed his hat trick as he scored the last goal of the match, giving UCSB the 13-7 victory.

Evan Dellinger led the Gauchos' offense with a hat trick while Dylan Baliani and Jake Miller add two goals apiece. Nick Tomasello, Derek Shoemaker, Teddy Zhang, Brendan McElroy, Brian Shoemaker and Bryce Miller all added one goal. Leading the defense was Myles Christian as he added 18 saves.

Up next for UC Santa Barbara is another conference match against Pepperdine on Saturday, Oct. 27, at noon at the UCSB Campus Pool. This will be the last home match for the Gauchos during the next three weeks as they will be on the road in the first two weeks of November.

Tickets for home men's water polo games are available by visiting the Ticket Office in the Intercollegiate Athletics Building on campus, by calling (805) 893-UCSB or by clicking here. 

UC Santa Barbara Goals: Evan Dellinger (3), Dylan Baliani (2), Jake Miller (2), Nick Tomasello, Derek Shoemaker, Teddy Zhang, Brendan McElroy, Brian Shoemaker, Bryce Miller.
UC Santa Barbara Saves: Myles Christian (18)

UC Irvine Goals: Bojan Hrlec (3), Winston Newland (2), Mitch Wise (2)
UC Irvine Saves: Alex Kazmier (5), Michael Bailey (6)