2012 Roadrunner Invitational III - Tournament Central
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - Santa Clara University's water polo team cruised past Cal State San Bernardino 21-7 in the Broncos' final game of the 2012 Roadrunner Invitational III hosted by CSU Bakersfield over the weekend.
Santa Clara saw 13 different players score 21 goals - a new season-high. The Broncos improve their Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) record to 5-7.
"We came out and capitalized on our counter attack opportunities," said Santa Clara head coach Keith Wilbur about Sunday's win over Cal State San Bernardino. "This is another good conference win for us."
Wilbur thought his team played some of its best water polo of the season in Sunday's opener against No. 19 Hartwick, a game SCU trailed 6-1, before rallying back to slice the deficit down to 8-7 in the third quarter.
Marina Allen and Ashleigh Bandimere scored three goals in that game with Hartwick and Laura Espinosa drew four kick outs. The Broncos comeback bid was helped along by the defensive play of Sarah Safir, Jamie Swartz and Laura Burtness.
"Hartwick is a very physical team and after that initial push from them, we responded with some of our best water polo of the season," said Wilbur. "We are playing much better and improving every weekend, at that was clear against Hartwick, one of the best teams on the East Coast."
Stephanie Clements had another solid game in goal, blocking eight shots and making three steals against Hartwick. June Afshar came on to get extended time in goal against Cal State San Bernardino and made three blocks, while freshman reserve Nicolette Balch added a season-best three goals on the offensive end.
Next weekend Santa Clara is off for Easter, but will return to the pool for the program's SCU Invitational (The Bronco), the weekend of April 14-15.
No. 19 Hartwick 12, Santa Clara 8 - FINAL
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |||||||||||
| SCU | 0 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
8 |
||||||||||
| HAR | 2 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
12 |
SCU Goals: Marina Allen 3, Ashleigh Bandimere (3), Kaitlin Murphy (1), Kendall Preston (1)
SCU Saves: Stephanie Clements 8
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Santa Clara 21, Cal State San Bernardino 7 - FINAL
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final | |||||||||||
| SCU | 6 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
21 |
||||||||||
| CSSB | 1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
SCU Goals: Nicolette Balch (3), Kaitlin Kirasich (2), Makena Pezzuto (2), Marina Allen 2, Natalie Kassel (2), Laura Espinosa 2, Laura Burtness (2), Lauren Radich 1, Sarah Safir (1), Jamie Swartz (1), Kaitlin Murphy (1), Ashleigh Bandimere (1), Morgan Fornesi (1),
SCU Saves: Stephanie Clements 3, June Afshar 3
