SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's water polo team opened the 2012 season against No. 17 UC Santa Barbara today at the Sullivan Aquatic Center. Jenny Anderson scored twice and Stephanie Clements saved eight shots, but the visiting Gauchos came away with a 9-4 victory. 

UCSB was coming off a 10-9 victory at Cal State Monterey Bay, which opened their 2012 campaign Thursday afternoon. Eight different Gauchos scored, with Kacey Creek finding the net twice. UCSB led 6-2 at the half.

"Give their goalie a lot of credit, she made some good blocks," said Santa Clara head coach Keith Wilbur. "But the main thing is we can take better shots on offense. I think we were actually passing up some shots as well. When you can't get in a rhythm and you can't convert, it takes away from the energy of everything else your doing."

Senior Marina Allen and Alexandria Cabral added goals for the Broncos, who are opening the season by facing five-straight teams that rank among the national top 20.

"This was our first game of the year and (UCSB) is a good team," added Wilbur. "Like I had said going into it, we were going to identify things we need to work on. In the first half we did a good job defensively running a good press. If we can maintain that energy into the second half this weekend and get the offense going, we will do much better."

All of Santa Clara's opponents this weekend at the SJSU Spartan Invitational are at UCSB's level or higher. The Broncos will play an exhibition Saturday morning prior to taking on No. 2 Cal at 11:45 a.m. On Sunday, Santa Clara will play No. 16 UC Davis at 10:30 a.m. and the University of the Pacific at 2:15 p.m.

#17 UC Santa Barbara 9, Santa Clara 4

Goals:
UCSB - Kacey Creek (2), Lauren Martin (1), Molly Hafferkamp (1), Bryce Winton (1), Nancy Ruano (1), Shelby Haroldson (1), Elle Quane (1), Rachel Nelson (1)
Santa Clara - Jenny Anderson 2, Marina Allen 1, Alexandria Cabral 1
Saves:
UCSB - Ruth Milne (6)
Santa Clara - Stephanie Clements (8), June Afshar (1)