Matsuno's late goal sparks win over UC Santa Barbara

By Jeff Dusing
Daily Forty-Niner

The No. 8 ranked Long Beach State men's water polo team defeated No. 10 ranked UC Santa Barbara Saturday with a hard fought 8-7 victory at Campus Pool.

"Santa Barbara always play's tough," said 49er defensive and utility player Aaron Holloway. "They swim hard and they play hard," he added.

Despite the game being tied at the end of the first and second periods, Long Beach (5-3) turned up its offense to secure the win over the Gauchos (3-8). During the game, however, neither squad was able to edge ahead for more than a couple of minutes.

"[The Gauchos] always play with a lot of heart, they always play with a lot of intensity," said Head Coach Rick Azevedo. "I thought it was good of the guys to be able to come out and play."

 In the third period, The Beach was able to outscore the Gauchos 3-2.

"We haven't played in three weeks," Azevedo said. "We can definitely see some rusty spots, but the guys played hard."

As the game moved into the fourth quarter, the team's hard work paid off as senior driver Justin Matsuno scored his third goal of the season with 1:56 remaining. This would stretch the 49ers' lead to 8-6.

With only one second remaining, UCSB's Anthony Borasi scored his team's last goal, but The Beach's victory was sealed.

Despite the win, The Beach was not enthused with its level of play. Team members felt a three-week layoff had taken its toll on their level of play.

"It was good to get out there and get the kinks out and get the rust off the arms and hopefully tomorrow we will be able to play a little better," said junior driver Justin Jewell.

Azevedo said the team played well, but appeared too eager in tough situations by forcing plays and taking premature shots.

Holloway said: "I thought our defense played well, we made a couple mistakes and gave up a few goals, but they let us stay in the game."

Scorers for the team, besides Holloway, Matsuno and Jewell, were Bryce Felloney, Chris Segesman, Nathan Allard, Pat Logan and Scott Miller. Jewell has scored a goal in all of the team's eight games so far this season.

Junior goalie Brett Adolph lead the team with 10 saves, followed by Trevor Spence with six.

The team was also focusing on a 1 p.m. Sunday game with No. 7 ranked Pepperdine, who are also in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.

Editor's note: The men's water polo team defeated Pepperdine 13-12 Sunday. Please see Tuesday's Daily Forty-Niner for complete coverage.