Men’s Water Polo Finishes Home Slate This Weekend

VIDEO: Raineri, Orella Talk Men's Water Polo Senior Day

SANTA CLARA, Calif.- The Santa Clara men's water polo team hosts its final two Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) games this weekend.

Santa Clara faces Fresno Pacific (5-15, 0-5) on Saturday at 3 p.m. and Air Force (5-13, 1-4) the following day at noon at Sullivan Aquatic Center. The Broncos (6-13, 1-4) will recognize seniors DeMarco Orella and John Raineri prior to the Air Force game.

Santa Clara, who fell to UC San Diego, 13-9, on Thursday and Loyola Marymount, 10-8, on Saturday, look to refocus at home.

"Close losses are tough, but it is on us not to let that affect our mindset from one game to the next," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "We have to have a mentality going into games that how we play in the present will determine the outcome of the next game."

Wilbur expects focus and determination in the final two home contests.

"My expectations are that we play at our highest level in terms of effort and execution, and that we play with confidence," said Wilbur. "If we do this, we are capable of winning both conference games this weekend."

In the matchup with UC San Diego, Ryan Werner had career-high four goals and Patrick Kirk added three for the Broncos. Carey and Kirk share the team lead with 23 goals this season.

Carey has team-high 30 assists, and Orella is second with 27. Kirk, who has started eight of the last nine, has scored 15 goals in the last seven contests.


Shane Hughes is tied with goalie Emil Huebner for the team lead with 28 steals, and Dane Estrella is third with 23.


Reilley May holds the team lead with 43 kickouts drawn this season and has induced a team-high four 5-meter penalties.

Huebner, who has started all 19 games this season, has 126 blocks and 13 assists.

VIDEO | Orella & Raineri talk #SeniorDay, special bond leading up to final 2 #SCUBroncos home games. #StampedeTogether pic.twitter.com/9vfF4vrUnd

— Santa Clara Polo (@SCUPolo) November 4, 2017

Next up, the Broncos are on the road to face Stanford on Saturday, Nov. 11 at noon, in the regular-season finale. The WWPA Tournament is set for .

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