SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Olga Descalzi Portell posted five goals, including three in the second half, to lead San Jose State to an 11-7 win over Santa Clara women's water polo on Saturday.
Tyanna Supreme and Matilda Moore each scored twice for the Spartans (4-4) who pulled away in the fourth quarter.
Hannah Buck and Annie Eldredge recorded two goals apiece for the Broncos (4-9) who were just 1-for-12 with the extra attacker.
"San Jose State is a good team and we played hard against them throughout the game," Santa Clara head coach Keith Wilbur said. "The biggest issue was our 6-on-5. We just weren't able to convert and that was the difference in the game."
Buck scored with 4 seconds left in the third quarter to pull Santa Clara within 9-7, but Descalzi Portell tallied a goal early in the fourth when the Broncos were unable to convert on two exclusions and missed all five shots on goal.
Santa Clara led for most of the opening quarter before the Spartans scored four straight goals in the first 4 minutes of the second period to build a 6-3 lead. Supreme scored twice in the flurry.
Maggie Oys, who drew a career-high four exclusions, scored with less than one minute left in the opening half, but Descalzi Portell answered by posting a marker 14 seconds into the third quarter to reestablish a three-goal cushion.
Buck drew five kickouts and went 1-for-2 on penalty shot attempts. Eldredge connected on her 5-meter attempt.
Hannah Henry had seven saves to earn the win for the Spartans.
Lydia Dadd posted five blocks and suffered the loss for the Broncos who also got two assists, three steals and three kickouts drawn from Hailey Eberle.
The Broncos have dropped three in a row, but all against top competition.
"We've played good teams in this stretch," Wilbur said "We've been improving. I like our defense, our offense and our counterattack. If we can figure out the 6-on-5, we'll be in good shape."
NEXT UP
The Broncos play at California Baptist on Friday to open Golden Coast Conference action.
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