STOCKTON, Calif.-- One day removed from a 20-10 loss against No. 4 Cal, No. 7 UC Santa Barbara (9-11, 0-6 MPSF) aimed to rebound against No. 8 Pacific (13-9, 1-4 MPSF) at Chris Kjeldsen Pool. Despite a two goal performance from freshman Shane Hauschild, and another solid performance in the cage by Chris Whitelegge, Santa Barbara suffered a narrow defeat to the Tigers.
Both teams are familiar with one another as today's contest was the third meeting of the season. Santa Barbara tallied a 9-7 victory earlier in the season, but Pacific recorded a win of their own with a 8-7 score on Oct. 12th.
The Tigers held the edge in the opening moments of the match as the home team jumped out to a 1-0 lead off a 6:06 goal. Hauschild tied the match as the 6-5 freshman rose up and struck a 2:56 score. Pacific carried the momentum in the closing minutes of the opening period as the Tigers struck back-to-back goals to lead, 3-1, at conclusion of the first period.
After another opening goal from the Tigers, UCSB gained some ground as the team netted two unanswered scores. Junior Kevin Cappon started the mini rally with his 6:26 score while Hauschild tallied his second goal of the match shortly after. Pacific once again stretched its lead to two goals, but a 6-on-5 goal by Ryan Baliani trimmed the Tigers lead to 5-4. With :27 seconds remaining in the half and awarded a power play, UCSB capitalized and tied the game, 5-5, off a goal from junior Liam Gaughan.
The third period was filled with fouls, exclusions, and an unfortunate penalty that gave the Tigers a penalty shot. Awarded a five meter penalty shot, Pacific regained its lead at the 2:27 mark. UCSB answered right back as junior Samer Alkateb tied the match with a two meter goal.
Trailing Pacific by the score of 7-6, UCSB pulled even with a 4:36 score. Senior Brendan McElroy added his 16th goal of the season to tie the match, 7-7. With one more goal from Pacific, the Gauchos were ultimately unable to prevail in the tight match as the team lost a 8-7 decision.
Hauschild led the Gauchos offense in today's match with two more goals while five other Gauchos tallied one goal apiece. Junior goalie Chris Whitelegge added 10 saves along with a steal and an assist in today's action.
UCSB will return home for next weekend's action as the squad will play its final home matches of the season next Saturday, Nov. 8, at noon against No. 11 Pepperdine and Concordia at 4 p.m.
Pacific 8, UCSB 7
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1
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2
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3
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4
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Final
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Pacific
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3
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8
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UCSB
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4
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1
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7
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Pacific Goals: Devon Thumwood (3) Krisztlan Laczkovics (2) J.T. Sarmento, Ben Stevenson, Ikko Saito
Pacific Saves: Chris Hughes (5)
UCSB Goals: Shane Hauschild (2) Kevin Cappon, Ryan Baliani, Brendan McElroy, Liam Gaughan, Samer Alkateb
UCSB Saves: Chris Whitelegge (12)
