Nov. 16, 2001
LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's water polo entered the Western Water Polo Association with the No. 6 seed and thoughts of pulling some upsets beginning Friday with its game against the No. 3 seed, University of Redlands. That first upset would not occur as Redlands handed Santa Clara a 9-5 loss on Friday in the first round of the tournament in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Broncos dominated play for most of the day, creating six man-up situations while not allowing Redlands a single man-up opportunity. Santa Clara was unable to convert on it chances though as the Bulldogs forced the Broncos into taking bad shots while counter-attacking with numerous fast-break opportunities.
"The difference in the game was their counter-attack," said head coach Steve Hanson. "We could not convert on the offensive end while they had a bunch of 2-on-1 and 1-on-0 opportunities because of our poor rotation. Give them credit though, they were able to convert their chances."
Dan Figoni and Mark Oda each scored two goals while J.P. Doucette rounded out the Bronco offensive attack with one goal.
The loss forces the Broncos into the consolation bracket where they will face LaVerne on Saturday at 10 a.m. on the campus of Loyola Marymount, which is hosting the three-day event.