Nov. 7, 2004

IRVINE, Calif. - For the fourth consecutive match, seventh-ranked UCSB found itself defeated by a top-10 ranked opponent, this time falling 9-8 to No. 5 UC Irvine on Sunday at the Anteater Aquatics Complex.

Senior Andrew Schoneberger led the Gaucho scoring attack with two goals on the match. Six other Gauchos contributed one goal each, including Brian Alexander who scored his team-high 53rd of the season to extend his consecutive goal-scoring streak to 16 matches.

The first half of play was evenly matched, with both the Gauchos and Anteaters posting two goals in the first quarter and three goals in the second. With the score knotted at five entering into the third quarter, the Irvine defense tightened and managed to shut out Santa Barbara in the quarter. The Anteaters' defensive success sparked the offense, resulting in two goals in the third to give UCI the 7-5 lead.

Although the Gauchos were down, they would not go out without a fight. Santa Barbara managed to net three goals in the final quarter, but the effort came up short as it allowed two Anteater goals as well. As the fourth quarter closed, the score spelled out another tough defeat for the Gauchos, this time exiting the pool on the short end of a 9-8 tally.

Junior goalkeeper Jon Bonafede recorded nine saves in between the posts for the Gauchos.

With the loss, the Gauchos fall to 17-10 overall, 2-5 in the MPSF. With the victory, UC Irvine improves to 14-9 overall and 4-2 in the MPSF. The Gauchos return home on Saturday to host No. 11 Pepperdine at 2 pm.

Team                     1   2   3   4   Total
UC Santa Barbara         2   3   0   3     8
UC Irvine                2   3   2   2     9
Scoring
UC Santa Barbara Goals: Andrew Schoneberger-2, Chris Gronow-1,
Brian Alexander-1, Ross Sinclair-1, Matt Dale-1,
Robbie Bauer-1, Jarrod Muenter-1
UC Irvine Goals: Dreason Barry-3, Colin Mello-3,
Tim Hutten-2, Cameron Bassett-1
Goalie Saves
UC Santa Barbara: Jon Bonafede-9
UC Irvine: Joe Wynne-8