Feb. 25, 2005

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - After posting wins in its last three matches, the Santa Clara women's water polo team dropped a pair of contests in the first day of the Daktronics Gaucho Invitational in Santa Barbara, Calif. on Friday. In the morning, the Broncos suffered a 16-4 defeat at the hands of second-ranked USC. Santa Clara (9-5) then fell to 16th-ranked UC Irvine, 6-4 in its second match of the day.

"We played as well as we could against the defending national champion," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "They are a tough team to play and it was a good experience for us."

The Women of Troy scored 10 unanswered goals in the first half as the Broncos were unable to find the back of the net against USC until 53 seconds into the second half. In the third period, Lindsey Bacolini scored twice for SCU, but USC added four more goals to its tally. The Women of Troy led 14-2 heading into the fourth frame.

Bryn Asher would add two goals of her own in the fourth quarter, however USC also posted two more as it pulled away to the 16-4 victory.

In the cage, Kristin Barnes and Randahl Capurro split time. In the first half, Barnes recorded five saves and a steal, while Capurro posted two blocks and a steal in the second half.

The Anteaters would also build an early lead in the second game of the day, jumping ahead to a 4-0 advantage. However, the Broncos were able to cut the lead to one goal at 5-4 late in the game. Yet, UC Irvine would score the match's last goal to earn the 6-4 win.

Bacolini once again accounted for half of the Bronco's goals, while Catherine Flynn scored the other two Santa Clara goals. Bacolini also drew two ejections in the contest. Three of the Bronco's four goals were scored in extra-man situations, as SCU connected at a 60% clip in 6-on-5 opportunities.

Barnes played the entire match in the goal for Santa Clara. She recorded nine saves in the second match.

The Broncos will continue play tomorrow and Sunday at the Daktronics Gaucho Invitational on the campus of UC Santa Barbara.