SANTA CLARA, Calif. – A balanced scoring attack and solid defense sent Santa Clara men's water polo to its first conference victory of the season.
Ryan Werner, Patrick Guinn, Dominick Kirk, Ford Eldredge and Shane Hughes each scored twice for the Broncos (12-11, 1-5) who defeated Fresno Pacific, 16-8, in Saturday's Western Water Polo Association matchup.
Santa Clara rallied from an early deficit by holding the Sunbirds (6-21, 0-7) scoreless for more than two quarters of action and tallying nine straight goals.
Adam Low, Werner and Eldredge scored three consecutive times in the second period to snap a 4-all tie.
Fresno Pacific went scoreless in the third quarter when the Broncos received goals from Mac Carey and Werner to build an 11-4 advantage.
The Sunbirds went without a goal for more than 17 minutes. James Tombough scored with 5:25 left in the fourth quarter to trim the deficit to 13-5, but that was as close as Fresno Pacific got in it its fourth-straight loss.
Jacob Fairchild had a game-high three goals and Cody Wickman added a pair for the Sunbirds.
Chase Zamborelli picked up the win in net for the Broncos with nine saves.
In all, 11 players scored for the Broncos who play their final home game on Sunday. Prior to the Air Force contest, the team will recognize its senior class which includes Mac Carey, Keaton Fox, Shane Hughes, Patrick Kirk, Nate Miller, Luca Pagano and Ryan Werner.
NOTES
• Ryan Werner, Patrick Kirk, Jack Rottman, Adam Low, Shane Hughes and Mac Carey made the start. The same unit has started the last 15 contests. Chase Zamborelli made his 10th start of the season in goal.
• Keaton Fox made his first appearance of the season in net. He posted one block in his 4-plus minutes of action. He has been out of action with a shoulder injury.
NEXT UP
The Broncos play their final home game on Sunday against Air Force. Start time is noon.
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TICKETS
Single-game tickets are available for $10. Click here to purchase online or contact the ticket office weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at (408) 554-4660 or BroncoTickets@scu.edu. Sullivan Aquatic Center, as well as its ticket office, is open one hour prior to the start of each game.
PARKING
For weekday games, the Leavey Center lot (see below for access), located on Accolti Way off El Camino Real, is free beginning one hour prior to the start time. 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.
The construction of the Stephen C. and Patricia A. Schott Athletic Excellence Center has necessitated the closure of the main entrance (off Accolti Way) to the Leavey Center parking lot. Access is now ONLY directly from El Camino Real (Route 82). If you are traveling east on El Camino Real, the Leavey lot entrance will be approximately 150 yards on the right (enter through the black iron gate) after you pass the main campus entrance. If you are traveling west on El Camino, make a u-turn at the main campus entrance at Palm Drive/Railroad Ave and follow the same directions.
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