Women’s Water Polo Downed by Cal Baptist in Consolation Play in GCC Championship

Hannah Buck (photo by John Shaffer, Golden Coast Conference)
Hannah Buck (photo by John Shaffer, Golden Coast Conference)

LOS ANGELES – Cal Baptist started strong and then held off a second-half rally from Santa Clara women's water polo to claim an 11-5 win on Saturday in the consolation bracket of the Golden Coast Conference Championship.

Kira O'Donell registered a game-high three goals, all in the first half, for the Lancers who were efficient on their power play, but yielded 14 opportunities to the Broncos.

Cal Baptist went 4-for-8 when it had the extra attacker including a pair of strikes in the second quarter by O'Donell when the Lancers built a 7-1 lead.

Hannah Buck (power play) and Annie Eldredge each scored late in the second quarter, and a goal from Maggie Oys midway through the third pulled the Broncos within 7-4.

But Schwegler answered with a man-advantage goal on the ensuing possession.

In the final 11 minutes, Santa Clara was only able to get one other shot past Cal Baptist netminder Megan Rocha who made eight saves.

"Cal Baptist came out strong and jumped on top of us in the first quarter," head coach Keith Wilbur said. "We played even the rest of the way but we dug too big a hole to start."

Lydia Dadd was credited with eight blocks for the Broncos who only scored twice with the extra attacker, including being unable to convert five fourth-quarter attempts.

"Cal Baptist really shot well to start the game and our biggest problem in the game was shooting," Wilbur said. "We had 14 kickouts, but only scored on two of them."

Eldredge and Gabi Sicat had two assists each.

Buck (nine) and Sicat (four) both had career-highs in exclusions drawn.

"Hannah had a strong game and Gabi also did a lot of good things," Wilbur said. "Those two drew 13 of the 14 kickouts."

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Video Santa Clara-Concordia
Live Stats Santa Clara-Concordia

NEXT UP
The Broncos will face Concordia on Sunday at 9:15 a.m. in the seventh-place game of the GCC Championship, which is being held at LMU.

QUOTABLE
"Even though the games aren't going our way we fighting and playing hard until the end and I respect that. They still have that competitive spririt and effort."

Head coach Keith Wilbur

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