Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament Schedule/Results
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Santa Clara men's water polo split its two games on Saturday, the second day of the Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament.
In the morning session, Patrick Kirk (four goals) led a balanced offensive attack to help the Broncos (6-10) defeat Wagner College, 15-9, at Sullivan Aquatic Center.
Santa Clara was unable to complete the sweep in the evening when a late goal from Rico Burke lifted Brown to a 12-11 victory over the Broncos.
The three-day tournament, with games at both Santa Clara and San Jose State, concludes Sunday.
Game One: Broncos Bounce Back, Down Wagner
Patrick Kirk scored a career-high tying four goals to lead a balanced offensive attack for Santa Clara men's water polo, which downed Wagner College, 15-9.
The Broncos, who maintained a lead against the Seahawks (9-14) the entire game and produced their highest goal output of the season, took advantage of its opportunities on the powerplay. Scott Zurnacian, Sam Toriggino, and Shane Hughes scored two goals apiece, and Ryan Werner, DeMarco Orella, John Raineri, Arvin Bahia, and Mac Carey tallied one each on the exclusion.
Santa Clara, which was an impressive 9-for-12 with the man advantage, was especially productive at the close of periods. Zurnacian's power play tally with one second left in the first quarter pushed the lead to 5-2 lead and he also scored with 30 seconds left in the second period to increase the edge to 9-3.
Kirk's goal with eight seconds left in the third pushed Santa Clara into the fourth quarter with a 13-6 advantage. The Broncos led by at least five goals throughout the second half.
The Broncos bounced back from a tough 11-10 loss to Harvard (15-4) on Friday night, in the last of three games on the day.
"I liked how the team responded from last night, coming back and playing a real solid game," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "It was a very emotional game last night, but it says a lot how a team comes out the next day to an early morning game. They came out in the first quarter with a lot of energy and took control of the game right off the bat, threw goals on the board, and built that lead."
Game Two: Brown Edges the Broncos in Nightcap
In a matchup featuring seven ties, Brown was able to edge the Broncos, 12-11, behind a game-high four goals from Travis Bouscaren, three from Tyler Kirchberg and tally in the final minute from Rico Burke.
Shane Hughes scored three goals and DeMarco Orella, Reilley May and Patrick Kirk added two apiece for the Broncos who led through much of the first half.
May twice tied the game in the fourth quarter, but with the scored knotted at 11-all the Bears were able to score the game-winner off an exclusion.
Hudson Rawlings fed Burke in front of Emil Huebner and redirected the ball past the Santa Clara netminder with 15 seconds left sending the 19th-ranked Bears (14-9) to their third win over the last two days.
Mac Carey had one goal and four assists for the Broncos who face Bucknell at 10:20 a.m. Sunday, one of four games at Sullivan Aquatic Center. The Spartans will serve as host for four games set for West Valley College.
The tournament is named for a Santa Clara water polo player who passed away in the spring.
NOTES
• Kirk has totaled a team-best 10 goals in Santa Clara's three games in the tournament. He had four in Friday's 11-10 loss to Harvard.
• In the Wagner contest, Carey had game-high three kickouts drawn and three assists, and May and Nate Miller drew two each. Dane Estrella, Orella, and Toriggino had two steals apiece.
• May drew four more kickouts against Brown. Kirk and Carey drew two each.
| Sunday, Oct. 22 | |||
| Bucknell vs. Santa Clara | 10:20 a.m. | Live Stream | FOSH |
About the Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament: The Santa Clara water polo community lost one its own in the spring of 2017 with the passing of men's player Julian Fraser. The two-year member of the program touched many around him in his short life. In recognition, the water polo program has renamed the annual Rodeo Tournament as the Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament, a three-day event which features teams from both sides of the country. Fraser was beloved by coaches, teammates and the Santa Clara University community. He had a true joy for the sport, he was a fierce competitor and enjoyed the camaraderie with his teammates. This annual tournament is a fitting way to honor and remember him.
Tickets: There are both single-game and all-day options for the tournament. Entry will require the purchase of a $10 all-day pass (exit and entry for the day) with the exception of Santa Clara contests. Patrons may purchase a single-game ticket priced at $6 for each of the four Broncos games. All-day passes purchased at Santa Clara do not include entry to the games at West Valley College. Single-game Santa Clara tickets or all-day passes are available online or at the gate. Sullivan Aquatic Center opens one hour prior to the first game each day. For questions, contact the Santa Clara ticket office weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. at (408) 554-4660 or BroncoTickets@scu.edu.
Parking: For weekday games, the Leavey Center lot, located on Accolti Way off El Camino Real, is free beginning one hour prior to the start. Any other parking facility on campus will be subject to normal daily rates or restrictions, including the main structure, located on Palm Drive. During the weekend, campus parking facilities are free (except for permit required locations). Click here for a campus map and parking restrictions.
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