UC Santa Barbara Men’s Water Polo team defeated the Wagner Seahawks 20-10 and the Air Force Falcons 21-14 on September 26, 2026, during the Rare Air Challenge in Colorado Springs, Colo.
In the first match, UC Santa Barbara took an early lead scoring the first five goals with contributions from Charlie Johnson, Finn Genc, Noah Loo, Sloan Brown and Oliver Sherwood, who finished with a hat-trick. The Gauchos maintained control throughout, including a dominant 7-2 third quarter, with multi-goal efforts from Sloan Brown, Dylan Morris, Hayden Tully, Camren Simoncelli, Preston Bouch, and Kyle Franks helping secure the 20-10 victory.
Later that day, in the evening contest against Air Force, the teams exchanged goals in a tightly contested first quarter. The Gauchos pulled ahead in the second quarter by scoring seven goals, featuring four from both Luigi Canepa and Charlie Johnson. Landon Lassahn and Finn Genc each recorded hat-tricks, while Hayden Tully, Kyle Franks, Camren Simoncelli, Preston Bouch, and Sean Keane also added crucial goals in the 21-14 victory.
CSB Take
UC Santa Barbara Men’s Water Polo showcased a balanced and potent offense with multiple players contributing significantly in back-to-back wins. Their ability to establish early leads and sustain scoring runs underlines the team’s cohesion and depth, important factors as they continue their 2026 season. These wins in Colorado Springs provide a strong foundation for the Gauchos heading into upcoming challenges.
Source: Original report
