The University of California, Santa Barbara men’s water polo team secured a 30-10 victory over Austin College on September 25, 2026, at the Cadet Natatorium located at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. UC Santa Barbara controlled the match from the opening quarter, establishing a 9-4 lead in the first period before pulling away with an offensive performance that resulted in 42 total shots and 37 team points.
Match Scoring and Period Breakdown
UC Santa Barbara established momentum immediately in the first period, netting nine goals while limiting Austin College to four. The offensive output continued with seven goals in both the second and third quarters, followed by another seven-goal push in the final period. Austin College responded with four goals in the first quarter, four in the third, and two in the fourth, totaling 10 goals from 27 total shots.
Finn Genc, Eric Brown, Tyler Roller, and Luigi Canepa also anchored the scoring efforts across the four periods.
Team Statistics and Disciplinary Summary
The defensive and transition game favored UC Santa Barbara significantly, as the Gauchos tallied 42 shots compared to Austin College’s 27. UC Santa Barbara also recorded seven assists and three steals, while successfully converting three out of four sprints. Austin College collected three assists, three steals, and won one sprint out of four.
Physical play resulted in numerous exclusions and penalties across both squads. Austin College accumulated nine exclusions and went 1-3 on sprints, while Corben Hartnett and Aaron Mendoza faced multiple disciplinary actions. UC Santa Barbara recorded 12 exclusions, with players such as Tyler Roller, Sean Keane, and Kai Ross drawing exclusions during intense defensive possessions at the Cadet Natatorium.
Match Details
- Date: September 25, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM
- Venue: Cadet Natatorium, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO
- Final Score: UC Santa Barbara 30, Austin College 10