VIDEO: Behind the Scenes from San Diego!
LA JOLLA, Calif. - Santa Clara University's women's water polo team suffered another tough postseason setback, dropping its second-straight one-goal decision at the 2012 Western Water Polo Association Championships hosted by UC San Diego. On Saturday, Santa Clara was nipped by Colorado State 6-5, which followed Friday's opening round loss to Cal State East Bay 11-10.
Santa Clara (8-27) - and seeded fifth at the tournament - nearly knocked off fourth-seeded Cal State East Bay Friday to move into the semifinal round. Instead, Colorado State (7-22), seeded eighth, pulled the upset Saturday in the consolation round.
Claire Eadington and Laura Espinosa each put in goals for SCU in the first quarter, accounting for all of the Broncos scoring in the first half. The low-scoring defensive battle saw CSU lead 4-2 at the half, then 5-3 heading into the final eight minutes.
Both goalies were exceptional. SCU's Stephanie Clements had seven saves and CSU's Melissa Fisher turned away 10 Bronco attempts on goal.
With CSU clinging to a slim lead in the final quarter, Espinosa and Ashley Bandimere (pictured) scored back-to-back goals to give the Broncos a chance to win, but the Rams held on for the win.
Santa Clara will play seventh-seeded Sonoma State at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday in the seventh-place game.
