Santa Barbara, Calif.—After completing a three game road swing in the past two weeks, No. 7 UC Santa Barbara (15-10, 1-7) concluded their regular season at home against No. 6 Long Beach State (22-7, 4-4). This was the grand finale of accomplished seniors, Myles Christian and Brian Shoemaker as this was the last home match of their great careers as Gauchos. After a fast and stellar start early in the match, UCSB fell to the 49ers in the end by the final score of 12-10.

Both UC Santa Barbara and Long Beach State started fast offensively. In the early moments of the game, Nick Tomasello scored a two meter goal and Brian Shoemaker scored a 4:48 goal to put the Gauchos up 2-0. The 49ers answered back with three unanswered goals from Nolan McConnell, Nick Rascon and Spencer White to give them the 3-2 lead. UCSB regained the lead shortly after as Eric Van de Mortel netted a 1:42 goal and Nick Tomasello scored his second goal of the game with 1:06 left in the opening period. With a goal from Milo Vrzic late in the period, the game was tied 4-4.

The second period was much like the first as the game continued to be very close. With a 7:21 goal from Nick Tomasello, his third goal of the match, and a 7:02 score from Milos Vrzic, the game was tied 5-5. Dimitrios Lappas of Long Beach gave the 49ers the 6-5 lead, but with 3:38 left in the half, Matt Gronow scored to tie the match 6-6. After the first half, the Gauchos had a 7-6 lead as Derek Shoemaker scored late in the period.

The third period was a total turnaround as UCSB was held scoreless in the entire period. Although with several key defensive stops, the Gauchos could not contain the 49ers offense as Long Beach scored three goals in the period from Nolan McConnell and two from Dan Matulis. Heading into the last period, the Gauchos faced a 9-7 deficit.

Only down by two goals, UC Santa Barbara had a real good chance of coming back into the game. Unfortunately, the Gauchos could not shutdown the 49ers offense as they scored three straight goals to open the period. Down 12-7 and with 1:50 left in the game, Derek Shoemaker finally ended the scoreless drought. With a 1:12 goal and another late score from Matt Gronow, UCSB cut into the Long Beach lead, but ultimately fell to Long Beach State by the score of 12-10.

Leading the Gauchos' offense was Matt Gronow and Nick Tomasello with each player having a hat trick. Besides the offensive outburst of Gronow and Tomasello, the offense got two goals from Derek Shoemaker and one goal apiece from Brian Shoemaker and Eric Van de Mortel. Being his last home match of his impressive career, Myles Christian had a solid day in goal as he recorded 12 saves.

Next in line for UC Santa Barbara is a road trip down to USC to compete in the MPSF Championships next Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Nov. 25. The times of the matches are still to be announced. 

Long Beach State Goals: Dan Matulis (3) Nolan McConnell (3) Spencer White (2) Milos Vrzic (2) Dimitrios Lappas, Nick Rascon
Long Beach State Saves: Balint Meszaros (11)

UC Santa Barbara Goals: Matt Gronow (3) Nick Tomasello (3) Derek Shoemaker (2) Brian Shoemaker, Eric Van de Mortel
UC Santa Barbara Saves: Myles Christian (12)