GLENDORA, Calif. – Santa Clara women's water polo played well enough on defense to earn a road victory, but the Broncos were unable to generate sufficient offense to knock off Azusa Pacific on Saturday.
In a matchup of Golden Coast Conference programs, Carinna Prince's power play goal early in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference for the Cougars in their 5-4 victory over the Broncos at Citrus College.
Annie Eldredge had a career day for the Broncos (11-14, 1-4) who went 0-for-8 with the extra attacker.
Eldredge posted a career-high tying three goals and registered a career-best four steals. Her final marker, on a 5-meter attempt, pulled Santa Clara within 5-4 with 4 minutes left in the fourth, but the Cougars (14-13, 2-3) only allowed one shot the remainder of the game.
"The team played well on defense and Lydia (Dadd) was great in the cage," Santa Clara head coach Keith Wilbur said. "We created good looks on offense, but we struggled to make our shots."
Eldredge's two goals in the opening 5 minutes of the game enabled the Broncos to take a 2-1 lead, but Azusa Pacific scored the next three.
Arianne Yeo's goal with 2 minutes left before halftime gave the Cougars a 4-2 edge.
Maggie Oys scored late in the third period, just as an exclusion was expiring, to cut the deficit to 4-3.
The Cougars took advantage of a power play for the game-winner.
Mireia Tutusaus Alcaraz set up Prince for the go-ahead goal with 6:48 left, just as an exclusion on Oys was about to expire.
Dadd was credited with 10 saves, including five in the third quarter when the Cougars were held scoreless.
Erica Marquez picked up the win in net for Azusa Pacific. She had seven blocks and six steals.
NOTES
• Lydia Dadd (goalie), Hannah Buck, Annie Eldredge, Maddy Gomes, Mara Dominguez, Maggie Oys and Hailey Eberle started for the Broncos.
• Eldredge has scored two or more goals in seven of the last eight games. She had one goal in Friday's game against LMU.
• Dadd registered double-digit blocks for the ninth game this season.
NEXT UP
Santa Clara has three regular season games left, including two at home. The Broncos face Santa Diego State on Saturday at Sullivan Aquatic Center and then travels the following day to face Sonoma State. The season finale, and Senior Day, is set for Saturday, April 21, against Pacific.
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