Written by John Nash '13
The Santa Clara women's water polo team wrapped up their regular season play by hosting UC Davis Saturday. Despite playing tough, the Broncos dropped the game 9-6 at the Sullivan Aquatic Center. With the loss Santa Clara falls to 13-18.
As game marked the last regular season home game for the Broncos, seniors Whitney Allen, Caitlin Espe, Jade Look, Wren White, and Taylor Harkins were all honored before the game.
"It's a really great senior class, and they have done a lot for the program over four years," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "This season with so many freshman and sophomores, they have done a great job leading the team. They are a real fun group to coach."
W. Allen drew three ejections for the Broncos, and Harkins registered two goals. Claire Eadington assisted on three goals for Santa Clara. Wren White made six saves in her final home game.
The Broncos will begin post-season play next weekend at the Western Water Polo Association championships. The Broncos have earned a three seed, and will play six-seeded Sonoma St on Friday, Apr. 29th, at 12:00 p.m.
Carmen Eggert opened up the scoring for the Aggies by finishing on a six-on-five opportunity. Jessica Dunne found the back of the net to push the Aggies lead to two. Marina Allen got the Broncos on the scoreboard by finishing an outside lob shot. After Dunne scored her second of the game, Sarah Safir responded with an off-balance outside shot just before the quarter expired to keep the Broncos down one.
Michelle Hook and Alicia Began finished shots to push the Aggies lead to 5-2 at 5:28 in the second. Eadington answered with a bar-in from deep to cut the lead to three. After the Aggies converted on the man-advantage, Lyndsay Sutterley finished from the post to push the Aggies lead to four. After the Aggies pushed their lead to 8-3, Jenny Anderson found Alison Norris on the inside.
The third quarter featured stellar defense from both sides, as Taylor Harkins scored the only goal of the quarter on a deep nine-meter shot.
The fourth Quarter provided more excellent defense, as neither team found the back of the net until Ashley Chandler finished an outside shot with 2:55 left in the fourth. Harkins squeezed in her second of the game on a six-on-five to cut the lead back to three, but the Broncos would not get any closer.
No. 15 UC Davis 9, Santa Clara 6
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Final |
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UCD Goals: Dunne 2, Smith 2, Sutterley, Hook, Began, Eggert, Chandler
SCU Goals: Harkins 2, Eadington, Norris, M. Allen, Safir
Blocks: Tatusko (UCD) 8; White 7
