Nov. 17, 2002

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's water polo team closed the 2002 season with a 15-8 loss to Division III fourth-ranked UC Santa Cruz this afternoon at Leavey Pool. With the defeat, the Broncos post a 10-26 overall record.

Both teams came out strong, with the Slugs holding a slim 3-2 advantage after the first quarter and a 7-5 halftime lead. UCSC opened the game in the third quarter, taking advantage of counter-attacking opportunities.

"They're a deep team and we were just trying to hang with them," head coach Keith Wilbur said. "We only had nine field players and over the course of the game, our lack of depth caught up to us."

Freshmen Jon Greco and Austin Brizgys led the Broncos with three goals apiece. Mark Perlite and Logan Gee added one tally each to round out Santa Clara's scoring.

"I was really proud of the way our freshmen stepped up today," Wilbur added. "The whole team played hard, but we just weren't able to win."

Sophomore netminder Peter Moore registered 15 saves in goal and was credited by Wilbur for keeping the Broncos in the game.

"He was on fire," the first-year head coach said. "He kept the game close in the first half and kept it from getting out of hand in the second. By far the best player in the pool."