SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – Cal Lutheran men's water polo wrapped up a long five-game opening stretch Sunday afternoon, facing its toughest test of the weekend against UC Santa Barbara at Santa Barbara High School. The Kingsmen fell 25-5 to the Gauchos.
Following four games across Friday and Saturday, Cal Lutheran (1-4) battled against a UCSB squad that entered the afternoon ranked No. 13 nationally for NCAA Division I.
The Gauchos jumped out to an 8-0 lead after the opening period before the Kingsmen settled in during the second. Cal Lutheran found the back of the net twice in the frame, with
Paul Patterson scoring both goals to help the Kingsmen head into halftime trailing 10-2.
Cal Lutheran continued to battle in the third quarter, adding two more goals.
Max Gerdeman and
Merrick Giles each scored, with Gerdeman also recording an assist as the Kingsmen entered the final period down 18-4.
Ceasar Nava added Cal Lutheran's fifth and final goal early in the fourth quarter, while UCSB closed the game with seven to secure the victory.
Patterson led the Kingsmen with two goals on five shots, while Gerdeman and Giles each finished with a goal and an assist.
Levi Cook contributed a team-high two steals and added a field block, while Giles also recorded a steal.
Jacob Taff spent 24 minutes in goal and made seven saves, while
Jaeger Gonzales added one save in eight minutes of action.
The Kingsmen now have almost two weeks off before returning to the pool September 18-19 at the Titan Invitational, hosted by Cal State Fullerton.
