SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – There was no question about it. The Gauchos came ready to play on Senior Day.
No. 9-T UC Santa Barbara played some of its most competitive and inspiring water polo of the season on Saturday, never trailing by a single goal in a 14-13 overtime win over No. 5 Pacific.
Santa Barbara's raucous sold out crowd helped set the stage on a day where UCSB's seniors accounted for 11 of the team's 14 goals. Despite getting virtually no clean looks the entire game, center Sam Nangle used his physicality to completely dominate, as he poured in a season-high five goals on just seven shots including the game-winner with 35 seconds left in overtime.
The No. 5 Tigers (18-6, 3-1) became the highest-ranked opponent the Gauchos (13-11, 3-1) have defeated this season by three spots. By handing Pacific its first conference loss of the year, UCSB moves into a three-way tie for first place with just one game remaining before the GCC Tournament.
Aside from Nangle, seniors Ryan Brosnan (3 goals), Tommy Hawkins (2) and Colton Gregory all found the back of the net as well. Brosnan put away all three of his goals in the first half, lasering in two from distance early in the second quarter. On the final possession of the opening half, the Gauchos went 7-on-7 with Brosnan wearing the goalkeeper cap, leading to an unforgettable buzzer beater from way outside to give UCSB a 7-6 lead at the break.
Hawkins doubled UCSB's lead with his second goal early in the third. Gregory would break an 11-11 tie midway through the fourth to put UCSB back up one.
With 51 seconds left in regulation, Pacific's Bogdan Djerkovic found the equalizer. UCSB earned a power play on its next possession, but couldn't get a clean look and Campus Pool would see overtime for the first time this season.
Nangle was the only Gaucho who scored down the final stretch. His goal late in the first overtime period would be answered by another Pacific equalizer that left 53 seconds remaining in the second overtime. Coming out of a timeout, the Tigers came out with a high press, but the Gauchos handled it well. Hawkins fed Nangle inside with a great pass from the left wing, and the big 6-foot-4 center worked his way around his defender before placing a gorgeous chip shot over keeper Bae Fountain for the winning goal.
Fountain's 10 saves were slightly outdone by senior Danny Roland's 12. It was the sixth straight 12+ save game for UCSB's stalwart goalkeeper, who will head into next Saturday's regular season finale at No. 9-T Pepperdine ranked No. 8 all-time in Gaucho history with 450 career saves.
