March 29, 2009
TEMPE, Ariz. - The No. 20 Santa Clara women's water polo team concluded play at the ASU Invitational with two wins on Sunday at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center. The Broncos defeated California Baptist 10-7 in the morning and closed out the weekend with an 11-6 victory over California Lutheran, who is No. 5 in the Division III polls. SCU concludes the two-day tournament in Tempe, Ariz. with a 2-2 record and improves to 13-13, 6-2 WWPA on the season.
"I am really happy with the way we played all weekend," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "After playing two tough teams and falling short yesterday, we bounced back and had a strong day in the pool. This is our first four-game two-day tournament this year and we played strong all weekend, which is a great sign."
Santa Clara broke a three-game losing streak with their 10-7 win over Cal Baptist. Rochelle Stowe, who has been having a breakout season at 2-meter defender, tallied two goals, a kick out and a steal. Stowe and Amy Lamb, who had three goals, combined to give the Broncos a 5-2 lead in the first period. After taking an initial immediate lead, SCU did not relinquish it. Claire Linney and Meg Zimmerman tacked on two goals apiece, and Taylor Harkins posted a lone score in the 10-goal victory. Linney posted two kick outs, a steal and a 5-meter penalty in the contest, and Jenny Knutson and Zimmerman had an assist each versus the Lancers. In the cage, goalie Wren White tallied 10 blocks to lead the SCU defense.
After earning a win in the morning, the Broncos returned to the pool to go 2-0 on the day. Am. Lamb led SCU with three goals, two steals and an assist in the 11-6 victory over California Lutheran. Stowe and Zimmerman tallied two goals each, and Zimmerman had three kick outs and two steals in the contest, as well. Sarah Safir had an assist, and Linney tacked on two assists and her second 5-meter penalty of the day versus the Regals. The freshman tandem of Marina Allen and Laura Espinosa each had a steal, and Espinosa drew a kick out as well. White posted six blocks in the cage for SCU's second straight victory.
Santa Clara returns to action this weekend when they host The Bronco women's water polo tournament at the Sullivan Aquatic Center. At the two-day tournament from April 4-5, SCU will square off with four conference rivals: CS San Bernardino, Colorado State, Loyola Marymount and UC San Diego.
No. 20 Santa Clara 10, California Baptist 7
Goals: Stowe - 2, Am. Lamb - 3, Zimmerman - 2, Linney - 2, Harkins - 1
Assists: Knutson - 1, Zimmerman - 1
Steals: Stowe - 1, Am. Lamb - 2, Knutson - 1, Hildebrand - 1, Linney - 1, Harkins - 1
Kick Outs Drawn: Al. Lamb - 1, Stowe - 1, Am. Lamb - 1, Espinosa - 1, Linney - 2
5-Meter Penalty: Linney - 1
Blocks:
White - 10
No. 20 Santa Clara 11, California Lutheran 6
Goals: Al. Lamb - 1, Stowe - 2, Jarrell - 1, Allen - 1, Am. Lamb - 3, Zimmerman - 2, Harkins - 1
Assists: Al. Lamb - 1, Am. Lamb - 1, Linney - 2, Safir - 1
Steals: Allen - 1, Am. Lamb - 2, Zimmerman - 2, Espinosa - 1, Harkins - 1
Kick Outs Drawn: Stowe - 1, Zimmerman - 3, Espinosa - 1
5-Meter Penalty: Linney - 1
Blocks:
White - 6
