Feb. 21, 2003

DAVIS, Calif. - The Santa Clara University women's water polo team fell to 15th-ranked UC Davis by a 15-3 score this afternoon at Hickey Pool in Davis. Brittany Russell led the Aggies with four goals, while four other Aggies each had two scores in the Western Water Polo Association match.

The Aggies improve to 6-5 on the season, while the Broncos even their record at 4-4.

"I thought we could have played a better match," SCU head coach Keith Wilbur said. "We came out lethargic, and you just can't do that against a nationally-ranked team. We need to learn from today's game and play better this weekend."

Beth Jay kicked off UC Davis' offense by assisting Russell for the game's first goal, then converting a pass from Shannon McGee to bring her team to a 2-0 start. Santa Clara did not manage a shot until the 2:04 point in the first quarter, when senior Becky Hong set up freshman Kathleen Hamm for a score. Jay tacked on a 6-on-5 goal at the conclusion of the first quarter to give the Aggies a 4-1 lead after the first period.

Not one UC Davis starter saw time in a second quarter that saw two goals by Alia Hansen within the first two minutes and only two shots on goal (six total attempts) by the Santa Clara offense. With less than a minute in the first half, Mary Dentice sent a pass to Nicole Lorrimer, who then set up Jessi Lafayette for a goal, giving the Aggies a 7-1 lead at the break.

SCU broke a 13-minute scoring drought when sophomore Katy Shumm hit the back of the UC Davis cage with 4:36 remaining in the third period, but the Aggies responded with three more goals to finish that quarter. Alli Johnstone scored her second goal on a counterattack, then Missy Duncan drew a four-meter penalty, which Russell converted for a 9-2 lead. Finally, Melissa Agee set up Kristin Pfaff for a goal at the 0:51 mark in the third.

UC Davis rang up five goals in the fourth quarter, including back-to-back scores by Pfaff. Her second goal came as a result of Russell's steal at the seven-meter mark. Hong punched in a goal at 2:21 to give Santa Clara it's third goal, but the Aggies countered with 6-on-5 goals by Lorrimer and Michael Brady to finish the game.

Friday's action serves as a prelude for both squads for the eight-team Davis Shootout tournament on Saturday and Sunday.