April 1, 2004

SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's water polo team dropped an 8-4 decision to Brown University this morning at the Leavey Pool. The Broncos' record moves to 14-15 while the Bears improve to 13-5.

Catherine Flynn scored the Broncos' final three goals, while teammate Katy Shumm opened scoring in the first minute of the match to give the home squad an early lead. Brown countered, with a goal by Diana Livermore, and then took the lead with Jackie Parente's score from the left side. It was the first of three Parente would score, leading the Bears.

Brown added to its lead in the second quarter, as Jeanie Ward-Waller stole the ball and broke down the middle of the pool. She dished to Paige Lansing, whose lob made it a 3-1 advantage at halftime.

Parente converted a penalty shot, but with 5:29 remaining in the third, Flynn scored with a behind-the-back, side-arm move to make the score 4-2. Ward-Waller returned the Bears' advantage with her goal from up top.

Flynn converted a penalty shot in the fourth quarter and then pushed the ball over the goal line on the team's next possession during a scramble in front of the net. Andrea Evans started the play with a steal at the other end of the pool. Flynn's goals were 33 seconds apart and pulled the Broncos within one, 5-4, with five minutes remaining in the contest.

Brown called a time out to regroup and then closed the match strong, scoring the game's final three goals. Livermore scored again, followed by a fast-break tally by Lauren McGeoch and a man-up goal by Parente in the final minute of the contest.

Anne Ginotti finished with seven saves for the Broncos, while Keira Heggie made three saves and also posted two steals.

The Broncos will visit Sonoma State on Saturday for a 1 p.m. contest, and return home to host UC Santa Cruz on Sunday, also at 1 p.m. Admission to the Leavey Pool is free.