Fourth-ranked UCSB men’s water polo lost 9-8 on a last-second shot by Long Beach State’s Rafael Real Vergara in the Golden Coast Conference opener on Saturday at Campus Pool.
Cole Brosnan got a shot off for UCSB before the final buzzer but it was blocked by the 49ers.
The Gauchos took an 8-7 lead on a goal by Adam Gyenis with 3:28 left.
Vergara got the 49ers even on their next possession, scoring off an assist from Alika Naone. Vergara had two goals on five shots and added an assist.
The Gauchos created chances to retake the lead in the last two minutes but were unable convert. Leo Yuno’s shot was saved by Beach goalie Andrej Bosanac and Spencer Wood hit the post.
Bosanac had 13 saves and two steals. UCSB goalie Connor Macdonald made 11 saves.
Long Beach State drew an ejection of Dash McFarland, but the UCSB defense came through and forced a turnover.
Both teams struggled on power plays. The Gauchos were 1 of 8 and the Beach 2-8.
Yuno got off another shot to break the tie but was denied by Bosanac.
After a timeout, Evan Cain of the 49ers fired a shot wide of the goal.
UCSB, however, was unable to capitalize on its possession as it gave the ball back to the Beach with 16 seconds left.
Vergara and the 49ers made the Gauchos pay for the turnover.
The Gauchos (14-5, 0-1) scored three straight goals to take a 3-2 lead with 6:18 remaining in the game. Theodoros Pateros tied the score on an assist from Matt Morris.
From that point on, the Beach (15-4, 1-0 GCC) and Gauchos went back and forth for the rest of the game as there were five ties and five lead changes.
Yuno and Brosnan each scored two goals for UCSB. Sawyer Rhodes was held to one goal.
Matt Morris and Pateros each scored three goals for the No. 7-ranked Beach, which extended its winning streak to six games.