Triton Invitational Tournament Central
SANTA CLARA, Calif. – After winning two out of three games at home last week, Santa Clara women's water polo heads to San Diego for its first Golden Coast Conference game, as well as four contests in the Triton Invitational.
The Broncos (3-1) face defending conference champion San Diego State (1-2) at the Aztec Aquaplex on Friday at 3 p.m.
"It'll be a tough game, but it's nice to come off a couple wins, go down there with some confidence, and see what we can do," Santa Clara head coach Keith Wilbur said.
GAMEDAY INFORMATION
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| Video | vs. San Diego State - None |
| Live Stats | San Diego State |
On Saturday morning, the Broncos defeated Cal State East Bay, 6-4, behind a career-high tying three goals from Annie Eldredge and two by Hannah Buck. Later that day, Santa Clara completed a sweep by posting an 8-7 come-from-behind win against Sonoma State. Francesca Puccinelli registered a career-high 16 saves, and Cathy Cantoni rifled home the game-winning goal against the Seawolves.
"Offensively, we are finding our rhythm a little bit, we are a young team and I think that's going to get better throughout the season," Wilbur said of his roster, which features 14 freshmen and sophomores. "Both were tight games and really proud of the character they showed in those situations.
Veterans Buck (9), Eldredge (5), and Cantoni (4) have led the offensive attack, combining for 18 of the team's goals. Cantoni and Blair Akerland, two of the team's six seniors, share team-high honors in assists with four.
Puccinelli, who is averaging more than 12 blocks per game, has started all four in net for the Broncos who were knocked off by No. 8 Hawai'i, 16-6, in Thursday's home opener.
"I think if we play good defense and Fran keeps playing the way she does in the cage that's what is going to keep us in games," Wilbur said.
The Broncos open play in the 16-team Triton Invitational, being held at UC San Diego, on Saturday against No. 2 USC (10-0), one of a number of highly-ranked teams in the field.
"There will be five quality games during the weekend," Wilbur said. "It's a tough weekend, it's a grind, but I think early in the season it's a good thing to do, to see what that level of play is."
The Broncos and Trojans will face off at 8:30 a.m. in Canyonview Pool. The teams will face either San Diego State or Hartwick in the Saturday afternoon session.
Santa Clara will play two more games Sunday.
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