Sept. 22, 2002

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - Sophomore Nick Takahashi scored five goals in a close match against rival UC Santa Cruz, but it wasn't enough, as the Santa Clara University men's water polo team fell to the Division III fifth-ranked Slugs 13-11 this afternoon at UCSC's East Fieldhouse.

"It was a very physical, very intense game," head coach Keith Wilbur said. "Both teams played really hard and it was a one-point game all the way to the end, when we pulled our goalkeeper to try and grab a steal and tie the game."

The Broncos opened up action this morning with a defensive battle against Division III No. 2 La Verne, falling by a 4-2 score. The losses drop Santa Clara to a 4-8 record on the season.

"We outshot La Verne by a 2-to-1 ratio," Wilbur said. "We had our opportunities to score but just couldn't put the ball in the back of the cage."

Sophomore Peter Moore led the Broncos with 14 saves in the two games, including nine against La Verne. Takahashi and freshman Whit Gilfillan tallied SCU's scores in the opener.

Against UC Santa Cruz, sophomore Grant Allison returned to the two-meter set position, after missing most of the season due to a back injury. He scored two goals for the Broncos in his return, while fellow sophomore Mark Oda also added two. In addition to Takahashi's five scores, sophomore Mark Perlite and Marc Hausle added one goal each.

The Broncos return to Santa Cruz next weekend to take part in the Slugfest Tournament. Opponents and game times have not yet been released.