Nov. 6, 2009
LOS ANGELES - The Santa Clara men's water polo team fell to perennial Western Water Polo Association power Loyola Marymount, 7-5, this afternoon in Los Angeles. The Broncos battled back from a four-goal deficit and nearly caught the Lions, but couldn't overcome them and dropped their ninth game of the season.
LMU jumped out to a 4-0 lead by the middle of the second period courtesy of a five-meter penalty shot, a six-on-five, and two even situation tallies, but a goal from senior Liam Farrell and two from junior Poggetti cut that lead to one goal by halftime.
Two ejections on the Broncos in the third quarter turned into two Lion scores, putting the home team up 6-3 at the end of the third.
Junior Stephen Hobbs brought Santa Clara back into the game and within two when he scored just 17 seconds into the fourth quarter, making things tight for almost the entire period. A goal for LMU with 1:49 left to go though squashed any hopes of a Bronco comeback, as LMU ran down the time on their possessions. Senior Jack Wall did manage to get one last goal, scoring with four seconds left on the man-advantage, ending the game at 7-5 in favor of the Lions.
Sophomore goalie Michael Wishart ended the match with nine saves.
Santa Clara falls to 17-9 overall and takes on UC San Diego tomorrow at 12 p.m.
