FRESNO, Calif. – Santa Clara women's water polo got off a quick start and never looked back in posting a convincing 12-3 road win over Fresno Pacific on Thursday.
Lydia Dadd backboned the defense and Hannah Buck led a balanced offensive attack with three goals for the Broncos who snapped a three-game skid.
Annie Eldredge, Maddy Gomes, Maggie Ireland and Hailey Eberle scored twice each and Maggie Oys registered a career-high five assists for Santa Clara (11-12), which scored four goals in the opening 5 minutes of the game.
The Broncos pulled away late in the second quarter when Buck, Kelly Frumkin and Eberle scored in a 2-minute span to build an 8-1 lead in a game played at Sunnyside High School.
Emily Knowles had two goals for the Sunbirds (8-14) who lost their fifth-straight contest.
Buck scored on all three of her shots and drew three kickouts.
The Broncos, who rebounded from Wednesday's 7-6 Golden Coast Conference loss at Fresno State, were 2-for-7 with the man advantage while the Sunbirds were 1 of 7.
Dadd turned aside the lone 5-meter attempt in the game. She flashed her right hand to save Julia Ponce's shot with less than 2 minutes remaining in the opening half.
HIGHLIGHTS | Plenty of scoring & defensive stops, led goalie by Lydia Dadd, in Thursday's 12-3 win against the @fpusunbirds. #SCUBroncos scored 4 times in opening 5 minutes of the game, cruised to victory in nonconference tilt. #StampedeTogether #waterpolo pic.twitter.com/Io7bpTelfn
— Santa Clara Polo (@SCUPolo) March 30, 2018
NOTES
• Lydia Dadd (goalie), Hannah Buck, Annie Eldredge, Maddy Gomes, Mara Dominguez, Maggie Oys and Hailey Eberle started for the Broncos.
• Dadd needed only three quarters of action to produce her eighth double-digit save total of the season. Alexa Grau played the fourth period and was credited with two blocks.
VIDEO | Eberle & Dadd discuss Thursday's 12-3 win over the @fpusunbirds. #SCUBroncos built an early lead and played well at both ends. Eberle (2G, 2S, 2 KOD) & Dadd (13 saves in 3Q, including 10 in 1st H) were key contributors. #StampedeTogether #waterpolo pic.twitter.com/dbOauwVAC5
— Santa Clara Polo (@SCUPolo) March 30, 2018
NEXT UP
Santa Clara concludes its stretch of five straight on the road next week, playing a pair of Golden Coast Conference games. The Broncos face Loyola Marymount on Friday, April 6, and Azusa Pacific the following day.
Connect with the Broncos on Social Media
• Athletics: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube
• Women's Water Polo: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
