UCSB Men’s Water Polo takes down two ranked opponents in San Jose

No. 13 UC Santa Barbara men’s water polo defeated No. 9 San Jose State University 13-12 in overtime and No. 20 Saint Mary’s College of California 14-8 on Saturday, Oct. 3, in San Jose, extending their win streak to six games and improving to 16-8 on the season. The Gauchos’ two ranked wins came just days after they set a program record with 35 goals in a 35-8 win over Occidental College on Sept. 27. 

UCSB started their Saturday against San Jose State and quickly established a lead. They scored the first two goals before building a 4-1 advantage inside the opening six minutes.

Freshman attacker Luigi Canepa scored twice during the early run, while sophomore attacker Charlie Johnson and freshman utility Sloan Brown also found the back of the net. San Jose State cut into the lead before the end of the first quarter and scored the opening goal of the second quarter, but UCSB responded with two more goals to take a 6-3 lead into halftime. 

The Spartans came out strong after halftime, tying the game during the opening minutes of the third quarter. Canepa and freshman attacker Dash D’Ambrosia answered for the Gauchos, putting them back up by two. 

San Jose State continued to pressure UCSB and tied the game again before the end of the third quarter. Canepa scored again to put the Gauchos back in front, but the Spartans eventually took their first lead of the game at 10-9 with just over three minutes remaining.

UCSB responded with the next two goals. Johnson tied the game before senior attacker Finn Genc gave the Gauchos an 11-10 lead with 25 seconds left in regulation. However, San Jose State scored with three seconds left in regulation, forcing overtime.

In overtime, fifth-year goalkeeper Wyatt Pieretti and the UCSB defense held San Jose State scoreless through the first three minutes of the extra period, while Johnson gave the Gauchos the lead. 

The Spartans tied the game again with 50 seconds remaining, but Johnson responded once more, scoring with 35 seconds left to put the Gauchos ahead 13-12.

Pieretti and the Gaucho defense held San Jose State scoreless for the remainder of overtime, securing arguably their best win of the season.

Canepa led UCSB with five goals, while Johnson finished with four. Pieretti recorded 13 saves. 

The Gauchos returned to the pool later that day for their second game against Saint Mary’s College.

UCSB again opened strong, scoring the first four goals. Genc, freshman center Hayden Tully, Canepa and freshman attacker Noah Loo each scored during the opening run.

Saint Mary’s responded in the second quarter, cutting the Gauchos’ lead to one. However, UCSB regained some separation before halftime, with junior center Camren Simoncelli and senior utility Landon Lassahn scoring to help Santa Barbara take a 7-5 lead into the break. 

After halftime, the Gauchos took complete control, outscoring the Gaels 5-1 in the third quarter. 

Johnson scored twice during the period, while junior center Kai Ross, Simoncelli and junior attacker Tyler Roller each added a goal. UCSB entered the fourth quarter with a 12-6 advantage.

Saint Mary’s scored three goals in the final period, but the Gauchos matched the Gaels’ offensive output to maintain their lead. Lassahn completed his hat trick, and Brown scored UCSB’s final goal of the afternoon to give the Gauchos a 14-8 victory.

Johnson and Canepa both finished the day with six goals across the two games. The Gauchos will now turn their attention to Big West play, opening conference competition against California Baptist University — the conference’s newest member — on Saturday, Oct 10.