March 1, 2009

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's water polo team concluded play at UC Santa Cruz's Slugfest Tournament Sunday morning. The Broncos, 8-8 overall, 4-1 WWPA, suffered their lone loss of the four-game two-day tournament, 7-5, to No. 19 Indiana.

"Today was a good and hard fought game," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "We battled throughout the game and unfortunately let it slip away late in the fourth quarter."

SCU managed to remain in the game, tying it every time the Hoosiers took the lead, until late in the fourth quarter. As the clock wound down in the final period of play and the score tied at five-all, IU took control of the game. Back-to-back goals by Indiana edged Santa Clara from posting a perfect 4-0 record on the weekend.

The Broncos could not outlast the top-20 ranked Hoosiers, as they could only capitalize on two-of-eight of their six-on-five plays. Claire Linney tallied three kick outs, a goal and a steal in the game, while Amy Lamb led the SCU scoring attack with two goals. Junior 2-meter Meg Zimmerman drew three kick outs and had a steal in the contest, and Laura Espinosa and Allie Lamb each posted a steal apiece. Driver Jenny Knutson had an assist and a kick out versus Indiana, and Taylor Harkins tallied a goal and a kick out on the day. Freshman Marina Allen scored a goal and had two steals, and goalie Wren White had six blocks in the cage.

Santa Clara looks to bounce back at the Davis Tournament on Sunday, March 8. The Broncos will play two games at the UC Davis hosted tournament. Schedule times and opponents have yet to be determined.

Santa Clara 5, No. 19 Indiana 7

Goals
Amy Lamb - 2, Linney - 1, Allen - 1, Harkins - 1

Assists
Allie Lamb - 2, Knutson - 1, Espinosa - 1

Steals
Allie Lamb - 1, Allen - 2, Amy Lamb - 2, Zimmerman - 1, Espinosa - 1, Linney - 1

Kick Outs Drawn
Knutson - 1, Zimmerman - 3, Linney - 3, Harkins - 1

Blocks
White - 6