SANTA BARBARA, Calif.-- Missed opportunities for No. 5 UC Santa Barbara (8-4, 0-2) proved costly in today's home contest against rivals, No. 6 Long Beach State (10-2, 1-0). Long Beach showed up big in today's match as the team aimed towards avenging its 14-13 loss to the Gauchos just three weeks ago. Long Beach escaped a packed and rowdy Campus Pool with a 14-12 victory over Santa Barbara.

UCSB got on the board first with a 5:03 strike from junior Kevin Cappon. Less than a minute later, the 49ers answered with three straight goals. A strike from junior Chase Racich made the score 3-2, in favor for Long Beach State with a minute left in the opening period. The Beach secured a 4-2 lead after a break away goal in the first quarter.

Falling behind 5-2 in the early moments of the second frame, UCSB fired back with back to back goals. Juniors, Bryan Snyder and Samer Alkateb both capitalized on a 6-on-5 opportunity to pull within one of Long Beach's lead. Long Beach swung the momentum once again; scoring back-to-back goals to force the Gauchos in another three goal deficit. Junior attacker, Ryan Baliani netted a two meter goal with 3:27 remaining in the first half. The two teams went back and forth as both teams scored impressive goals. With a 2:51 score from junior Bryan Snyder, and a late goal from Liam Gaughan, UCSB faced a 9-7 deficit at the half.

The third period opened with a major turning point as the Gauchos were rewarded with its first five meter penalty shot on the day. In favor for Long Beach, the Gauchos could not take advantage of the opportunity. Falling behind 10-7, Cappon drove in a strong shot to the bottom left corner to pull within two of the 49ers lead. Later in the period, the Gauchos were in prime position to pull within the lead with a 6-on-3 opportunity. Long Beach escaped the situation as UCSB overshot the goal to give the visitors the possession. With :40 seconds left in the third frame, 49ers utility, Dimitrios Lappas completed his hat trick to give his team the 12-8 lead. UCSB quickly answered and closed the period with Snyder's third goal, making the score 12-9.

After allowing another 49ers goal, UCSB was rewarded with another five meter penalty shot. Freshman Shane Hauschild drilled a shot to the lower right corner to give his team a shot at a comeback with six minutes remaining in the match. Long Beach junior, Nolan McConnell completed his hat trick with 4:22 score to increase the lead to 14-10. The Gauchos battled to the end as Cappon recorded his own hat trick performance with a 2:44 score. After a goal from junior Brendan McElroy, UCSB trailed 14-12 with 1:23 left to play. Chewing up as much of the clock as possible, Long Beach escaped with a narrow win against the Gauchos.

Juniors, Cappon and Snyder accumulated six of the 12 goals in today's contest as the two displayed impressive goals throughout the match. Junior keeper, Chris Whitelegge tallied five saves and two steals in today's match.

LBSU 14, UCSB 12

LBSU Goals: Dimitrios Lappas (3) Nolan McConnell (3) Devin Mefford (2) Zacchary Kappos (2) Ricardo Guimares, Nick Rascon, Joey Fabian, Dan Matulis
LBSU Saves: Pavo Ljepopio

UCSB Goals: Kevin Cappon (3) Bryan Snyder (3) Brendan McElroy, Shane Hauschild, Ryan Baliani, Liam Gaughan, Samer Alkateb, Chase Racich
UCSB Saves: Chris Whitelegge (5)