March 13, 2004
DAVIS, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's water polo team fell twice in matches today at UC Davis' newly-opened Schaal Aquatics Center. The Broncos fell to 15th-ranked Hartwick College 11-9 to the 13th-ranked Aggies 10-3. SCU's record evens to 11-11.
The Broncos coached themselves for much of the Hartwick contest after head coach Keith Wilbur was kicked out after disagreeing with an official's decision. Santa Clara kept it close and the senior captains composed the team to finish out a tight match.
"The team stepped it up after I left the game and worked on things we've been covering in practice," said Wilbur, who watched the rest of the match from outside of the pool deck. "It's interesting to see how a team handles themselves in this type of situation, and this group couldn't have done any better. It was our best game of the season against a top-20 ranked team."
Katie Radvanyi led all goal scorers with four, while Alanna Simpkins added two and Catherine Flynn, Kathleen Hamm and Andrea Evans added one each. Defensively, Katy Shumm posted three steals and Anne Ginotti recorded five blocks in goal.
The Broncos gave UC Davis a strong first half, with the score at intermission 4-3.
"We did much better job of giving them a game, at least for a half," Wilbur added. "The two games were close together and I think we ran out of gas in the second half against Davis. However, it was good mentally to prove to ourselves we could play at that level."
Radvanyi again led the Broncos in scoring, adding two against the Aggies. Flynn added one. Shumm led SCU's defensive efforts by nabbing four steals, while Ginotti guarded the net again and registered four blocks and two steals.
The Broncos break for winter quarter finals but will return to the pool next weekend, participating in the Claremont Tournament to open Spring Break. On Saturday, Santa Clara will face Chapman and Redlands at 9:15 a.m. and 1 p.m., respectively. Sunday's action will see the Broncos take on Michigan and Cal State San Bernardino at 10:30 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. The Broncos will remain in Southern California and visit Cal State Northridge on Monday, March 22, at 4 p.m. and Pomona-Pitzer, on Tuesday, March 23, at 5 p.m.
