Updated 2012 Statistics
SCU Water Polo Photo Galleries
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara University women's water polo team will host No. 19 Long Beach State Sunday, March 4 at 12 noon. The Broncos will have faced 11 of nation's top 20 teams following the non-conference match up with the 49ers this weekend.
Santa Clara's early-season record stands at 3-5 versus Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) opponents, having won two-straight in WWPA play. Facing the best teams in the country should allow the team to challenge for another top-tier league finish by the end of the season.
"Recently everything has been clicking," said sophomore utility player Claire Eadington (pictured), last season's WWPA Newcomer of the Year. "The games we have won have been the games that we played together as a single unit and not just individual players. I am confident that we will be winning a lot more. We definitely have momentum going into the second half of the season; we are constantly improving and we're all out to prove to ourselves, coach, and everyone else that we can be unstoppable."
Eadington is the only Bronco to total 20-plus goals (24), assists (20) and steals (24) this season. One of the best young players in the league, Eadington has combined with freshman teammate Ashleigh Bandimere (21 goals) and senior Marina Allen (26 goals) to provide the bulk of Santa Clara's offensive production.
Allen scored four goals had five assists and three steals in two games last weekend, which included a 10-5 WWPA victory over Cal State Monterey Bay.
"So many (teammates) have impressed me this season, I don't think I could just name a few," said Eadington. "All of our classes are strong and have so much depth and potential, and I think that in the long term we will establish ourselves as a perennial top 20 Division I team."
The Broncos have a chance to knock off a ranked team for the first time this season on Sunday versus Long Beach State. It will be the first meeting between the two teams since 2005, when they split a pair of games, including an overtime decision that went to the Broncos.
For more information on Sunday's game or for tickets, contact the Santa Clara University Athletic Ticket Office at 408-554-4660.
SCU NOTES: Kaitlin Murphy is coming off her best weekend as a Bronco offensively, cashing in four goals in two games against Cal St. Monterey Bay and Cal Baptist … since being inserted into the starting lineup, Ashleigh Bandimere has tallied two hat-tricks in six games … a solid core of seniors has helped to lead the team this season: Marina Allen's 26 goals is a team-high; Laura Espinosa (44 earned ejections) paces the team in kick outs drawn; Sarah Safir has done a remarkable job guarding two-meters, and is third on the team with 21 steals.
