SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The No. 14 men's water polo team came out with two close wins this weekend in Southern California, picking up their first conference win over Cal Baptist. The Broncos improved to 9-6 as they head into their second conference game of the season at No. 15 Air Force on Oct. 18.
Mark Davis came out firing to start the second quarter, tying the game three all and Will Grant put in the go-ahead goal to give the Broncos their first lead of the game, 4-3. Matt Pritchett and the Bronco defense stepped up in the second quarter, keeping the Lancers scoreless.
With a goal from Matt Godar and Matt Kochalko, the Broncos took the 6-3 lead over the Lancers in the top of the third. The Lancers finally broke their silence, putting in two of their own goals, 6-5. Grant put in his second goal of the game, rounding out the third quarter 7-5 Broncos advantage.
Kochalko opened up the fourth quarter with another goal but the Lancers went on a two-goal run with a converted penalty goal to bring them back within one, 8-7 Broncos. Chang put in his second goal of the game with just under two minutes left to play. The Lancers put in one more goal in the final 20 seconds but the Broncos left the pool with the 9-8 win, and their first conference win of the season.
In the Broncos next game, they faced a nonconference match up against the Redlands Bulldog and battled up and down the pool for another close win. The Bulldogs put up a tough defensive effort, but the Broncos found the back of the net seven times to win 7-6.
The Bulldogs started out with an early two-goal lead in the first quarter. Davis scored the Broncos solo goal, and the Bulldogs finished the first quarter with the 3-1 advantage.
Godar found the back of the net to bring the Broncos within two to start the second quarter. Pritchett and the Bronco defense came up with big stops, only allowing one goal by the Bulldogs. With goals from Graham McClone and Orella the Broncos tied the game 4-4 going into half.
Off of an earned ejection, the McClone converted the man-up opportunity to give the Broncos their first lead of the game, 5-4. On their own 6-on-5-timeout play, the Bulldogs tied the game up 5-5 heading into the final quarter of play.
Chase Schaaf broke the tie with a goal for the Broncos, taking the 6-5 lead to start the fourth. Off of another earned ejection, the Bulldogs tied the game for the final time 6-6. On a breakaway goal, McClone showed his speed off and broke the 6-6 tie with his third goal of the game. The Broncos picked up the 7-6 win over the Bulldogs. Pritchett anchored the Broncos defensive efforts, posting 14 blocks.
The Broncos will now look forward to traveling to Colorado Springs, Colo. to play their second conference game of the season against No. 15 Air Force.