LA JOLLA, Calif. (Sept. 3, 2023) — The UC Santa Barbara Men's Water Polo team wrapped up their weekend at the Triton Invitational on Sunday with matches against No. 1 California (3-0) and No. 17 California Baptist (1-3). Gaucho center Dash McFarland scored a hat-trick against the Golden Bears and added two more against the Lancers, and goalkeeper Levi Lentin made 16 saves in 48 minutes, but UC Santa Barbara (1-3) fell in both matches.
 
FROM HEAD COACH WOLF WIGO
"We played a very strong, competitive game against Cal," Wigo said. "The team was really emotionally and physically drained after that game and we had a slow start against Cal Baptist, and they played about as well as they could and were pumped up for the match. I give them a lot of credit but at the same time wish we could have finished out the tournament with a win."
 
NO. 1 CALIFORNIA 16, NO. 7 UC SANTA BARBARA 10
The defending National Champions Cal jumped out to an early lead and held it, though the Gauchos did their best to stay close. Luke Redoutey opened the second quarter with a powerplay goal to cut the Bears' lead to one, and a minute later it was Logan Sutter taking advantage of the extra man himself to keep Santa Barbara in touching distance. However, Cal scored three unanswered goals in the third quarter to break the game open. The teams traded goals in the fourth — four each — but the Gauchos could not close the gap. As something of a silver lining, Santa Barbara's ten goals are the most Cal conceded in a game over the weekend.
 
NO. 17 CALIFORNIA BAPTIST 11, NO. 7 UC SANTA BARBARA 10
A high-scoring first quarter saw the Lancers hold a 5-3 lead eight minutes into the game despite Gaucho goalie Leif Lacy saving a five-meter penalty. CBU would only add to their advantage before halftime, going into the break up, 9-6. Santa Barbara came out firing in the third quarter. Lentin stepped back into the cage and made five stops in the frame, while goals from Colton Gregory and Brock Zamanian brought the Gauchos back within one. Mason Chambliss leveled things at 9-9 early in the fourth quarter, and Sutter put Santa Barbara in front with just under five minutes to go. However, the Lancers answered seconds later to tie the game back up at 10 and scored the game-winner two possessions later.
 
UP NEXT
UC Santa Barbara will head to Redlands next weekend for the Inland Empire Invitational, hosted by the University of Redlands. Information about the Gauchos' opponents, game times and how to watch will be posted to ucsbgauchos.com in the coming days, as it becomes available.