DAVIS, Calif. – Santa Clara University goalkeeper Wren White had 12 blocks and a steal and the Bronco defense held No. 19 Pacific scoreless until midway through the third quarter as SCU beat Pacific for the second time in two weeks, 5-1.
"This was probably the best defensive game we've played in while," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "It was a battle, zero-zero after the first quarter. After that, we continued to play good defense and scored some timely goals."
The Broncos have been working on a new defensive scheme, using more of a hard-press to take away the perimeter game of opponents and to help spark the SCU counter-attack.
Caitlin Espe and Whitney Allen were terrific on the defensive end and offensively Laura Espinosa scored and drew three kick-outs. Espinosa is the reigning Western Water Polo Association Player of the Week. Freshman Claire Eadington scored two goals in the fourth to ensure the victory.
"Along with Espe and (Whitney) Allen, I thought Marina Allen and Sarah Safir played really well for us defensively," added Wilbur. "To hold a team like Pacific to one goal is a great defensive effort. That is a great sign for us."
SCU lost its second game of the day to Cal State East Bay 11-7, a WWPA matchup, that dropped the Broncos overall record to 8-10 and 5-3 in the WWPA. East Bay held a 6-1 lead after Claire Pierce's third goal with 7:42 left in the 3rd. The closest margin in second half was 8-5 (Taylor Harkins' 5m penalty shot at 7:34 in 4th).
The UC Davis Aggie Shootout continues throughout the weekend.
Santa Clara 5, No. 19 Pacific 1
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Final |
| Pacific |
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| Santa Clara |
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GOALS - PACIFIC: Dara Tawarahara 1. SCU: Claire Eadington 2, Laura Espinosa 1, Whitney Allen 1, Laura Burtness 1.
GOALIE SAVES - PACIFIC: Michelle Relton 7 (32:00). SCU: Wren White 12 (32:00).
Cal State East Bay 11, Santa Clara 7
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Final |
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| Santa Clara |
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GOALS -CSUEB: Claire Pierce 6, Whitney Bell 2, Carly Clark 1, Erica Crain
1, Sarah Grunberger 1. SCU: Caitlin Espe 2, Claire Eadington 1, Jenny
Anderson 1, Laura Espinosa 1, Taylor Harkins 1, Marina Allen 1.
GOALIE SAVES - CSUEB: Jayme Pekarske 10 (32:00). SCU: Wren White 8 (32:00).
