SARATOGA, Calif. – San Jose State used a second-half offensive outburst to down Santa Clara men's water polo 11-7 in Saturday's season opener for both teams.

Sam Toriggino had a game-high three goals for the Broncos, but Ashley Castle, Finn Pardon, G. Lovatelli and Bendegez Toth each scored twice for the Spartans who overcame a second-half deficit in a game played at West Valley College.

Jackson Kennedy, Toth and Lovatelli each scored in the first three minutes of the third period to enable San Jose State to tie the game at 6-all. Castle put the Spartans ahead off a feed from Ben Hauschild, one of his four assists (all in the second half), with three minutes left in the quarter.

Pardon scored both of his goals early in the fourth quarter and the Broncos were unable to generate any offense.

Toriggino had a pair of power play goals in the first quarter, but the Broncos were only 1 of 6 with the extra attacker in the second half.

John Raineri had one goal and an assist while Reilley May drew three kickouts and scored once. Shane Hughes was credited with two assists and four steals.

Toriggino, Raineri and Mac Carey all scored in the first four minutes of game and the Broncos led 4-1 midway through the second quarter on another Toriggino strike.

NOTES
• Toriggino, May, Raineri, Hughes, Carey and DeMarco Orella were the positional starters.
• Raineri, in his fifth season, made his first appearance since 2015 due to an elbow injury last year.
• Emil Huebner made his first-career start in net and recorded six saves.
• Toriggino matched his career high with three goals. He had a career-high three scores vs. Navy on Oct. 23, 2016.

QUOTABLE
"We came out really well. We've talked about a lot of different aspects of the game and we haven't come out to strong starts. I was very excited that they came out focused and playing that way. It was nice to see what level they can play when clicking on all cylinders.

"The second half we lost it a little. I'm not sure what the reason is, whether it's just how to finish out a game mentally. But we weren't doing the same things in the second half that we did in the first half and that hurt us. That's what we have to figure out."

NEXT UP
The Broncos will play four games during days in the Princeton Invitational. Santa Clara faces Iona at 12:40 p.m. Pacific Friday in Princeton, New Jersey.

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