LOS ANGELES, Calif. – The 16th-ranked Santa Clara men's water polo team earned its fourth win over a top-20 opponent at the Kap7 SoCal Invitational in Los Angeles over the weekend. The victory was especially sweet, knocking off long-time rival and 18th-ranked Loyola Marymount 13-11. 

Santa Clara (5-13) faced four ranked opponents in two days at the SoCals - part another grueling multi-game weekend matching up with the nation's best. However, things change for the Broncos this week. SCU will play just one game, at No. 10 UC Davis (9-6; 2-0 WWPA) on Saturday, its Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) opener.

"We have the opportunity to focus on one big game this week," says Santa Clara head coach Keith Wilbur. "We can really prepare for Davis, which is the top-ranked team in the WWPA right now." 

SCU used its third-highest goal total of the year to beat the Lions, rebounding from a hard-fought 8-2 opening-round loss to No. 5 Pacific. The Bronco defense was able to limit the Tigers to just one goal in the second half.  

"When we are really playing well we are getting contributions from a lot of different areas," said Wilbur. "Our defense has been a lot better, and our goalie play has been stronger, which really energizes the team.​" 

Senior keeper Joe Maestri made ​17​ saves in starts against LMU and No. 9 Pepperdine. Junior Troy Nade ​had 22 blocks in his games against No. 15 UC San Diego and ​UoP. 

Offensively it was junior Will Grant scoring a team-high five times. Senior teammate Evan Chang continues to draw a lot of attention in front of the net, with seven earned ejections. Lefty John Raineri came up big against LMU, scoring twice, assisting twice and making four steals. 

Saturday's WWPA opener will be played on the UC Davis campus at 12 noon. Santa Clara will host its annual home tournament, The Rodeo, Oct. 22-25.