SANTA CLARA, Calif.- In their first travel trip to the east coast, the Broncos saw great success, picking up three wins and only falling once to No. 7 Princeton.
In their first game of the weekend, the Broncos faced the Wagner Seahawks. The Seahawks jumped out to an early lead, going on a two-goal run. Kaitlin Murphy broke the silence for the Broncos making it 2-1 Seahawks advantage. Elle Surber found the back of the net to tie the game, and again to give the Broncos the 3-2 advantage. Laura Burtness put in one more goal in the final seconds to make it 4-3, Bronco advantage at half.
With an earned ejection by the Broncos, Jenny Anderson was able to convert on the man-up opportunity, 5-3. The Seahawks pulled back within one a few times in the third quarter, but two more goals by Murphy kept the Broncos with the 7-6 advantage going into the final quarter.
The Seahawks tied and then took the lead in the beginning of the fourth quarter. Burtness was able to tie the game up, eight all, and Surber followed suit, earning back the lead, 9-8. Two more goals by Wagner gave them the advantage, but in the final minute, Murphy tied the game up 10-10 to take it into overtime.
In the first minute of overtime, Wagner took the lead, but Surber threw in a goal to tie it 11-11. In the second quarter of overtime, Surber converted on a man-up opportunity, her fifth goal of the game. Burtness put in her third goal for the game winner, 13-12.
Next, the Broncos played the Brown Bears. Strong defense on both sides of the pool made it difficult for their team to make it in the net. Murphy was the solo goal scorer in the first period. The Bears tied in up in the second, but Murphy quickly answered backing, 2-1. Surber and Erin Sheridan scored to give the Broncos a two-goal advantage going into half, 4-2.
Murphy again started off the third with a goal, 5-2 Broncos. The Bears were able to put in two goals and the third quarter ended 5-3, Broncos advantage.
The Bear tied it up to start the fourth, but Murphy battles back for the Broncos lead, 6-5. Another goal by Surber in the final minute sealed the deal and the Broncos left the pool with the 7-6 win.
After a solid first day, the Broncos faced their toughest competition of the weekend in the Princeton Tigers. Elizabeth Anderson came out ready to play, putting the first goal on the board. Burtness, Claire Eadington and Sheridan all scored in the first quarter, giving the Broncos a 4-3 lead.
The Tigers tied it up early in the second and went on a 4 goal, unanswered run. Princeton scored once more in the beginning of the third before Jenny Anderson was able to score for the Broncos, 8-5 Princeton advantage. Burtness scored one more time in the third, but Princeton took the 10-6 lead going into the fourth.
Murphy scored her first goal of the game to start off the fourth quarter, 11-7 Princeton. The Broncos fought hard, scoring four more goals by Ashleigh Bandimere, Jenny Anderson and two by Nicolette Balch. Princeton still pulled out the 14-11 win.
In their final game of the weekend, the Broncos played host-team Harvard. Elizabeth Anderson scored the Broncos only two goals in the first quarter. The game was tied two all going into the second quarter.
Harvard started off the second with a goal, but Murphy fired right back to tie the game 3-3. Surber put in a goal but Harvard was able to keep the game tied at 4-4 going into half.
The Broncos started of the third with a two goal run with two goals by Sheridan. Harvard tied the game again, six all but Surber put in a buzz-beater to end the third 7-6, Broncos lead.
In a man-up opportunity, Harvard tied the game for one final time, 7-7. Surber and Bandimere put in goals, giving the Broncos their third win of the weekend, 9-7.
The Broncos will now travel back to the West coast and face Redland and Cal State Monterey Bay on Mar. 23.