March 8, 2009

DAVIS, Calif. - In a thrilling sudden death overtime contest, the Santa Clara women's water polo defeated conference rival No. 17 California State University Bakersfield, 10-9. After being down throughout the game, SCU came back in the fourth quarter to tie the game at nine-all. After two scoreless overtime periods, junior Meg Zimmerman scored the game-winning goal in the third overtime period of play.

"This was one of the best comeback games I have witnessed as coach of the Broncos," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "It was a huge win for us and a great come back win for us."

After being down, 9-6, going in the fourth quarter, Santa Clara responded to the three-goal deficit. With three minutes left in regulation the Broncos went on a 3-0 run. Senior Claire Linney scored the tying goal at nine apiece to send the game into overtime. The Bronco captain tallied three kick outs, two goals and a steal in the game. In the first overtime period the Roadrunners of CSUB took a 10-9 lead, but senior Kendal Hildebrand kept SCU in the game with a tying 10-all goal. After a scoreless second overtime period, Zimmerman blasted in a final goal to give the Broncos, 9-9 overall, 5-1 WWPA, their first win over Bakersfield of the season. SCU is now 1-1 with the Roadrunners this season.

In the game, Jenny Knutson scored two goals, had a steal and drew a kick out. Allie and Amy Lamb each had a goal and an assists, and Al. Lamb tallied two steals. In the cage, sophomore goalie Wren White posted four blocks and a steal.

In the second and final game of the day at the Aggie Shootout, Santa Clara could not carry the momentum from their thrilling sudden death overtime win, as they fell to tournament host No. 11 UC Davis, 11-6.

The very physical Aggie team took an immediate 5-0 lead on SCU. Six different Broncos scored in the attempted comeback effort, but it was not enough to go 2-0 on the day. Freshman Laura Espinosa posted three kick outs, a 5-meter penalty and a goal in the game, and White tallied nine blocks and a steal.

"We are feeling good after today," said Wilbur. "It was great to get a win over Bakersfield, after falling to them earlier this season. The win showed a lot of character and playing this caliber of teams will help us improve overall."

Santa Clara returns home to face off with the top-20 Bruins of UCLA, conference rival CSU Monterey Bay and the Maryland Terrapins.

Santa Clara 10, No. 17 CSU Bakersfield 9 (3 OT)

Goals
Al. Lamb - 1, Am. Lamb - 1, Knutson - 2, Zimmerman - 2, Hildebrand - 1, Linney - 2, Harkins - 2

Assists
Al. Lamb - 1, Allen - 1, Am. Lamb - 1,

Steals
Al. Lamb - 2, Allen - 1, Knutson - 1, Zimmerman - 1, Hildebrand - 1, Linney - 1, Harkins - 1, White

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

Blocks
White - 4

Santa Clara 6, No. 11 UC Davis 11

Goals
Stowe - 1, Amy Lamb - 1, Espinosa - 1, Hildebrand - 1, Safir - 1, Harkins - 1

Assists
Al. Lamb - 1, Am. Lamb - 1, Look - 1

Steals
Allen - 1, Knutson - 1, Linney - 1, Olson - 1, Look - 2, White - 1

Kick Outs Drawn
Stowe - 1, Zimmerman - 3, Espinosa - 3

5-Meter Penalties
Espinosa - 1

Blocks
White - 9