Sept. 22, 2001
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's water polo team defeated the Alumni 25-14 in six quarters of play this afternoon at the Leavey Pool. It marked the Broncos' first home match in two seasons, as the pool was closed last year due to renovations to the adjacent Leavey Center.
The scoring started early as Dan O'Connell led the charge for the current student-athletes. But the alumni countered 30 seconds later. Only two more goals would be posted in the first quarter as senior Jay Moorhead posted a short-handed goal to put the current squad up again, but head coach Steve Hanson, a 1996 graduate of the mission campus, tied the match again with under a minute remaining.
Sophomore Kenny Flanagan scored two goals to open the second frame, but the alumni squad took over and pulled ahead by two before Moorhead converted on a goal thrown from behind his back, followed by a penalty shot that freshman Mark Perlite converted to even the match at seven goals apiece after two quarters.
Freshman Mark Oda opened the third frame with a goal, but the alumni kept answering, and both teams entered the fourth tied at 9.
The Broncos' defense shut down the alumni in the fourth while their offense pulled ahead for the victory. Goals by O'Connell and junior Dan Figoni and two by freshman Nick Takahashi closed out official scoring.
The teams played two more quarters for the 25-14 final score.
The Broncos return to the pool next weekend in Santa Cruz for the Slugfest Tournament, hosted by UC Santa Cruz. Although opponents and game times have not been set, the invitational runs September 28-30.
Alumni Roster
Brett Bynum '01
Dax Farhang '96
Marc Hanson '98
Steve Hanson '96
Sam Lawn '00
Kyle Parrish '01
Tex Peacock '99
John Puccini '97
Jeff Raegan '01
Andy Sikic '01
Brian Sprouse '01