Talk about getting the season going on a good note.
The UCSB women’s water polo team did just that by downing No. 2 UCLA, 9-8, on Friday at Campus Pool.
It marked the first time since 1995 that a Gaucho women’s water polo team beat UCLA. Kenzi Snyder made nine saves, a number of which came in crunch time in the fourth quarter, and Sarah Snyder scored four goals to lead the UCSB attack.
The Bruins jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first quarter before the Gauchos scored three straight goals to get back in the match.
“It’s the beginning of the season, so we talk about going out and playing our game,” UCSB coach Serela Kay said. “That’s what we did tonight, and it worked. There’s so many more things that we can do well, and we’ll need to brush up, but I’m proud of the team. It was a full team effort.”
The Gauchos play Iona and No. 4 Cal today at 11 a.m. and 3:15 p.m., respectively, in the UCSB Winter Invitational at Campus Pool.
BOYS SOCCER
SANTA BARBARA 8, CABRILLO 1
The Dons took complete control of the Channel League standings on Friday following a dominant win over the Conquistadores.
Santa Barbara (14-1-3, 3-0-1) scored in the third minute and never looked back. Jorge Ochoa had a big night with three goals.
Diego Espinoza had two for the Dons and Juan Carlos Torres, Cason Goodman and Brandon Pacheco each had one. Torres also tallied three assists on the night.
BOYS BASKETBALL
SANTA BARBARA 78, LOMPOC 40
The Dons cruised to an easy Channel League win over the Braves.
Bryce Warrecker led the way with 23 points. Moki Nacario had 12 and Vance Baldwin finished with 10 for the Dons, who improved to 13-6 overall.
Santa Barbara plays at Pasadena today in a non-league game.
BISHOP DIEGO 64, FOOTHILL TECH 39
The Cardinals led by eight after the first period and never looked back after, defeating Foothill Tech by 25.
Kai Morphy led the balanced attack for Bishop Diego, who improved to 2-1 in league play, with 19 points.
Bryan Trejo added 10 points and Bodhi McDonald scored eight for the Dragons in the loss.
LAGUNA BLANCA 62, PROVIDENCE 45
Christian Branch scored 19 points, dished out six assists and grabbed four rebounds on Friday, helping the Owls earn a 17-point victory over the Patriots.
Devin Hernandez had a team-high 23 points for Laguna Blanca and added three blocks. Finn Walker chipped in 14 points and nine boards in the win.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
CARPINTERIA 60, MALIBU 32
Hannia Hernandez got hot in the first quarter for the Warriors, knocking down four 3-point shots to help her team jump out to an 18-6 lead to eventually win by 28 points.
Hernandez finished with 20 points, Gabriella Graham added 19 and Jasmine Gilbert totaled 11 for Carpinteria (4-9, 1-3) in its first league win.
GIRLS SOCCER
DOS PUEBLOS 1, LOMPOC 1
The Chargers got a goal from Gizela Zermeno off an assist from Kate Scherz but not net a game-winner, settling for a draw against the Braves.
DP is now 2-1-1 in the Channel League and remains in the hunt for first place.
CATE 3, ST. BONAVENTURE 1
The Rams were tied 0-0 at the half against the Seraphs but then were able to put together three goals to defeat St. Bonaventure 3-1.
Grace Blankenhorn put Cate ahead 1-0 after slotting away a goal with accuracy off a pass off a ricocheted shot attempt. St. Bonaventure leveled the match a few moments later after drawing a foul in the box and then scoring on the penalty kick.
Goals from Lilly Riehl and Jolea Moes in the 77th and the 79th minute, respectively, gave the Rams the win. Taylor Kane had 10 saves in goal for Cate (5-3-1).
GIRLS WATER POLO
SAN MARCOS 10, ORANGE LUTHERAN 8
Cassidy Miller scored five goals for the Royals to spark them in a two-goal win over Orange Lutheran Friday.
San Marcos trailed 3-0 within the first three minutes of the first period but battled back to lead 4-3 by the end of the first quarter.
From there, the Royals kept a healthy distance. Hannah Meyer, Elle Prentice, and Madison Sparre scored in the contest for San Marcos.
Zosia Amberger played well in goal for the Royals as well.
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