UC Santa Barbara Men’s Water Polo defeated No. 9 Long Beach State 13-8 on October 24, 2026, in a Big West Conference game held in Santa Barbara, Calif. The match was dedicated as the Nick Johnson Memorial Match during the university’s alumni weekend.
Fifth-year goalkeeper Wyatt Pieretti was instrumental in the victory, making nine saves and scoring a rare goal in the fourth quarter. Freshman Luigi Canepa led the offensive effort with four goals and an assist, while fellow freshman Dash D’Ambrosia contributed a hat trick with three goals.
The game remained close through the first quarter, but UCSB pulled ahead in the second quarter with a 4-1 run, capitalizing on strong defense and effective counterattacks. Head coach Wolf Wigo credited the team’s defensive discipline and adherence to the game plan, particularly in limiting scoring opportunities by Long Beach State’s key players, including Federico Gulisano.
The Gauchos improved their conference record to 2-1 and overall to 20-9, while Long Beach State’s record dropped to 15-7 overall and 1-2 in the Big West. UC Santa Barbara is scheduled to face UC Irvine next on October 30, 2026, at 6 p.m. in another Big West Conference match.
CSB Take
UC Santa Barbara’s victory over a top-10 opponent during the Nick Johnson Memorial Match underscores the Gauchos’ development and resilience this season. The blend of staunch defense and balanced scoring contributions from both veterans and freshmen provides a solid foundation as UCSB continues Big West play. This triumph, witnessed by alumni support, may boost team confidence and momentum for upcoming conference challenges.
Source: Original report
