Sept. 14, 2002

REDLANDS, Calif. - Freshman Mike Vancura scored in the fourth overtime as the Santa Clara University men's water polo team defeated Division III eighth-ranked Whittier 8-7 this afternoon in first-day action at the Inland Empire Invitational, hosted by the University of Redlands. The Broncos fell to Chaminade 9-7 to open the tournament and are now 2-5 on the season.

As the game moved into the fourth overtime-and second sudden death-Whittier won the sprint, but sophomore Mark Oda registered the steal, allowing the Broncos to counter out. Oda got the ball to freshman Mark Perlite, who passed the ball to Vancura, who then put the game away with a pop shot.

"We opened the day with a pretty solid game against Chaminade," head coach Keith Wilbur said, "so it was a gut check to go down to line with Whittier and then come up with the win. The guys are really psyched."

Sophomore Nick Takahashi led all scorers with four goals, followed by one each from Oda, Perlite, freshman Whit Gilfillan and Vancura's game-winner.

In the loss to Chaminade, Takahashi and Gilfillan posted two scores each, while Perlite, along with freshmen Marc Hausle and Jon Greco, added one tally apiece.

The Broncos remain at the tournament and will take on Division III ninth-ranked Chapman at 10:15 a.m. followed by a 1:30 p.m. contest against No. 10 Pomona-Pitzer.