Sept. 23, 2006
SANTA CRUZ, Calif. -- The Santa Clara men's water polo team entered the SlugFest with the intensity and desire that they have brought in each of their previous eight games this season, and they were finally rewarded with their first two wins of the season in their first day at the SlugFest. Behind leading scorer Jack Wall, freshman Liam Farrell and junior Chris Parolin, the Broncos defeated conference powerhouse University of Redlands by a score of 7-5 and defeated conference opponent Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College by a score of 9-7.
The Broncos began the day with a record of 0-8 looking for their first win of the season after playing in two tournaments with some of the nation's best competition. Their first match of the day was against the University of Redlands, a team that Santa Clara had acknowledged as one of their toughest opponents on the schedule this weekend.
The Broncos went into halftime tied with Redlands. After taking the lead in the third quarter, things went south in the fourth and the Broncos found themselves on the verge of losing another close game. But then freshman Liam Farrell scored two big goals to put the Broncos on top, this time for good as the Broncos earned their first win of the season, a 7-5 victory over Redlands. It was the result that the Broncos had come so close to in their previous eight performances this season. Sophomore Jack Wall had a hat trick and was dominant on offense, with help from freshman Liam Farrell who had two goals, and Chris Parolin who had three kickouts drawn. On defense, Robert Callahan was solid in the cage with 14 blocks, a steal and an assist.
In their second match of the day against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps College, the Broncos had something that they hadn't had all season. Confidence. And it made all the difference, as they emerged victorious by a score of 9-7 over Claremont. Jack Wall had another hat trick and more, putting away five goals and notching two assists. Billy Gorin and Liam Farrell contributed a goal each, and Chris Parolin had two goals, an assist, and drew two kickouts and a 5M. It was just the performance that the Broncos needed as they head into day two of the SlugFest.
Sunday, the Broncos will face California Lutheran University at 9:00 a.m. followed by Whittier College at 1:00 p.m. as they look to catapult their first two wins of the season into their first tournament title.
Results
Saturday, September 23, 2006
Santa Clara def. 15 University of Redlands 7-5
Santa Clara def. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 9-7
