Oct. 29, 2007

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - Zsombor Vincze of the No. 9 UC Santa Barbara men's water polo team was named the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Mikasa Co-Player of the Week it was announced Monday by the conference. Vincze led the Gauchos with a hat trick on Saturday as UCSB posted its first win in 22 years over No. 4 Stanford.

Vincze shares the honor with UCLA's goalkeeper, Chay Lapin, who tallied a career-high 15 saves and allowed just five goals as the No. 3 Bruins handed previously undefeated No. 1 USC a 9-5 loss on Sunday.

The Gauchos overcame a 3-1 first quarter deficit and defeated Stanford 9-7 in Palo Alto on Saturday. The last program win over the Cardinal was in 1985.

Vincze's hat trick against Stanford was his second in the past two weeks against a top-four school. He also posted three goals in a 14-10 loss to No. 1 USC on Oct. 20.

In addition to his three goals, the native of Szeged, Hungary posted an assist, two steals, two field blocks and earned one ejection. Vincze is third amongst the Gauchos with 37 goals scored this season and he leads UCSB with 36 earned penalties or ejections.

The Gauchos, who are 17-9 on the season, continue MPSF play this week when they host No. 4 Cal in their last home game of the season. The match-up is slated for noon on Sunday, Nov. 4 at Campus Pool.