March 15, 2009
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - In a back-and-forth contest at the Sullivan Aquatic Center, the No. 20 Santa Clara women's water polo team outlasted a tough University of Maryland team to earn a 10-9 double overtime victory. Junior Meg Zimmerman scored the game-winning goal in the first overtime period. In the second overtime period SCU kept the Terrapins offense at bay and prevented them from tying the game - to solidify the Broncos 11th win of the season. Santa Clara, 11-10 overall, 5-1 WWPA, is 2-0 this season versus UM.
"Today was a fun great game," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "Aside from letting go of our four point lead initially, we came back strong and battled hard to get an important win."
SCU took an immediate 4-0 lead in the first quarter, but an energized and very physical Maryland team came back in the next three quarters to take a 9-8 lead. With less than 15 seconds left in the game, sophomore Taylor Harkins scored the nine-all tying goal; however the Terrapins responded seconds later when they drew a 5-meter penalty. Goalie Wren White blocked the shot to send the game into overtime as the regulation clock wound down.
In the cage, White led the Bronco defense throughout the six-period game. She tallied 13 blocks, to help lead SCU to a 2-1 record on the weekend. In the field, redshirt sophomore Rochelle Stowe's defensive prowess tallied four critical steals in the game at 2-meter defender; she also scored a goal in the game.
Amy Lamb drew two steals, two kick outs, had two assists and scored a goal, and her sister Allie had a steal, a kick out and a goal. Freshman Laura Espinosa scored a goal, drew a kick out and 5-meter penalty, and senior Claire Linney tallied a two kick outs, a goal, an assists and a steal. Junior Jenny Knutson, who has been battling injury, posted three assists and two steals. Along with scoring three goals in the game, Zimmerman also posted two kick outs and drew a 5-meter penalty.
"This was a great weekend for us," Wilbur said. "We are steadily improving and are continuing to improve our caliber of play. The team is getting healthier and hopefully we can carry the momentum of this weekend into the final leg of the season."
The Broncos return to action after a bye week on Thursday, March 26, against Sonoma State. Game time is set for 3 p.m. in Rohnert Park, Calif.
No. 20 Santa Clara 10, Maryland 9 (2OT)
Goals
Al. Lamb - 1, Stowe - 1, Am. Lamb - 1, Zimmerman - 3, Espinosa - 1, Linney - 1, Harkins - 2
Assists
Stowe - 1, Am. Lamb - 2, Knutson - 3, Linney - 1
Steals
Al. Lamb - 1, Stowe - 4, Am. Lamb - 2, Knutson - 2, Linney - 1, Harkins - 2
Kick Outs Drawn
Al. Lamb - 1, Am. Lamb - 2, Zimmerman - 2, Espinosa - 1, Linney - 2
5-Meter
Zimmerman - 1, Espinosa - 1
Blocks
Wren - 13 blocks
