IRVINE, Calif. – No. 6 UC Santa Barbara men's water polo defeated No. 7 Long Beach State 8-6 in overtime during its first match of the day. The Gauchos then took on No. 5 Cal, but were unable to overcome the Bears. UCSB finished sixth place in the 2013 SoCal Tournament.
The Gauchos came out in the first quarter ready to play. With goals from senior Matt Gronow, sophomore Kevin Cappon, and junior Derek Shoemaker, UCSB took the lead 3-0 after the first period.
Long Beach State came back full force during the second quarter. The 49ers kept the Gauchos scoreless in the second and third quarter, taking the lead 4-3 heading into the fourth period.
The fourth period was scoreless for both teams up until two minutes were left in the game. Matt Gronow converted a goal to tie the game, before junior Bryce Miller tallied another goal to help the Gauchos take the lead. With only :02 left in the game, Long Beach State was able to score a goal, tying the game 5-5.
Junior Eric Van de Mortel was the only player to score a goal in the first overtime period, allowing the Gauchos to take the lead 6-5. The Gauchos were able to tally two more goals in the second overtime period, leading to their 8-6 victory over the 49ers.
In their second game of the day, the Gauchos took on No. 5 Cal. Eric Van de Mortel opened the game with a goal for the Gauchos before the Bears were able to record two goals of their own to take the lead 2-1.
The Bears jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the second quarter. Kevin Cappon was able to sneak one in to lessen the Bears lead, ending the second period with Cal up 5-2.
Cal was able to further their lead in the second half, ultimately defeating the Gauchos 11-3. UC Santa Barbara finished sixth in the 2013 SoCal Tournament.
UC Santa Barbara continues its 2013-2014 season as they head to Malibu to compete against Pepperdine on Saturday, Oct. 19. UCSB will then head back to Santa Barbara to play No. 5 Cal on Sunday, Oct. 20 in their first conference game of the year. The Gauchos are 13-4 overall and ranked No. 6 in the country.
UCSB 8, Long Beach St. 6 OT
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1
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2
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3
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4
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OT1
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OT 2
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Final
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UCSB
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3
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0
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0
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2
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1
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2
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8 |
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LBSU
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0
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2
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2
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1
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6
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UCSB Goals: Matt Gronow 3, Derek Shoemaker 2, Kevin Cappon, Bryce Miller, Eric Van de Mortel
UCSB Saves: Chris Whitelegge 18
LBSU Goals: McConnell 3, Vrzic, Taylor, Mefford
LBSU Saves: Ljepopio 16
Cal 11, UCSB 3
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1
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3
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Final
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UCSB
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1
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3
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Cal
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2
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11
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UCSB Goals: Eric Van de Mortel, Kevin Cappon, Matt Gronow
UCSB Saves: Chris Whitelegge 9
CAL Goals: Saponjic 3, Hamilton 2, South 2, Mulcahy, Russell, Ivanovic, Cupido
CAL Saves: Boggan 11
