Nov. 7, 2009

SAN DIEGO, Calif. -

The No. 14 Santa Clara men's water polo team suffered a heartbreaking loss to No. 11 UC San Diego on the road today, dropping the high-scoring shootout 14-13 in double overtime. Junior Nick Poggetti scored six goals in the losing effort as the Broncos couldn't outlast the Tritons.

Poggetti scored twice in the first quarter to put Santa Clara on top, and the Broncos held on to their lead through the half as the teams traded goals in the second quarter, with junior Mitch Klipa, senior Liam Farrell, sophomore Daley Meistrell, and junior Stephen Hobbs all finding the back of the cage.

The third period played out much like the second, with the two teams alternating goals, but defensive breakdowns led to two UCSD goals within the last two minutes, tying the game up heading into the final quarter. Freshman Patrick Weiss recorded two goals, while junior Mark Soares got one and Poggetti added his third.

UCSD struck first in the fourth with a goal at 6:56, but Poggetti answered with three straight goals to once again take a two-goal lead with 2:35 to play. Steven Donohue wouldn't let the Tritons go down though as the senior scored at 1:09 to get USCD within one, and scored with 22 seconds left to force overtime. UC San Diego's Bryce Madsen got the game-winner in the first overtime with 2:06 left in the period and this time Santa Clara couldn't answer, dropping to 17-10 overall on the season.

The Broncos end their road trip tomorrow, playing Chapman and Whittier tomorrow in Orange, Calif.