Men’s Water Polo Advances To Big West Semifinals After Defeating UC Santa Barbara

DAVIS, Calif. – Under the rain in Davis, No. 8 Long Beach State defeated No. 14 UC Santa Barbara on the first round of the Big West Championships 12-9 to move into the semifinals tomorrow against No. 1 seed UC Irvine. Sophomore Caleb Francisco continued his stellar season with a career-high of six goals to lead the Beach. 

 

Senior Evan Cain got things started for the Beach after a sequence of defensive actions by both teams. The Gauchos got on the board quickly after to tie the game but Francisco's first goal of the game let Long Beach State back on the lead 2-1 and close the quarter up. 

 

UCSB tied the game on an extra-man situation, but the Beach would take the lead again with a quick shot by Francisco. Freshman Kostantinos Kapragkos extended the Beach lead as Francisco netted another one making the game 5-2 with three minutes left before halftime. Back to back goals by the Gauchos before the halftime made it a one goal game but Francisco's fourth goal closed the half with Long Beach State in advantage 6-4. 

 

On the second half of the match freshman Corbin Stanley extended the Beach lead with a quick extra man goal. UC Santa Barbara answered quickly but the Beach responded with two goals by Francisco and Bruno Chiappini to give Long Beach State their biggest lead of the game 9-5. The Gauchos scored with 16 seconds left on the quarter to head into the fourth 9-6. 

 

Two quick goals by UCSB made it a one goal game with five minutes left in the match. Francisco again with his sixth goal of the match put the Beach up by two goals as Chiappini added another one with under two minutes of play. The Gauchos would strike another time but Chiappini's hat trick gave the Beach the win 12-9 and a spot onto semifinals. 

 

The Beach will face the No. 1 sees UC Irvine on semifinals this Saturday at Noon. Live stats for the match will be provided through thefosh.net.