DAVIS, Calif. – Santa Clara women's water polo split a pair of games on the opening day of the regular season.
The Broncos (1-1) defeated Fresno Pacific, 13-7, before falling to host UC Davis, 11-4, at Sunday's Davis Challenge.
Santa Clara 13, Fresno Pacific 7
Four players had multiple goals led by four from Hailey Eberle and Lydia Dadd directed a strong defensive effort with 15 saves as Santa Clara pulled away from Fresno Pacific to claim a 13-7 win in the season opener.
Lauren Baglietto and Kelly Frumkin each had two goals for the Broncos who connected on 5 of 9 chances with the man advantage.
Sam Witt had three goals and Katie Kisling chipped in two for the Sunbirds (0-2) whose offense was stifled after scoring four times in the opening period.
Fresno Pacific led 4-3 following Witt's second goal, but the Broncos were in control the remainder of the game. They scored three goals in a span of 3 minutes from the end of the first into the second quarter to build a 6-4 lead.
Santa Clara scored the first three goals of the third quarter to push the lead to 10-5.
The Sunbirds scored just once during a stretch of nearly 16 minutes from late in the opening quarter through the last 2 minutes of the third.
Eberle had four assists while Oys and Malena Nguyen had two apiece.
UC Davis 11, Santa Clara 4
Noelle Wijnbelt had a game-high five goals, including two in the final quarter, and Emily Byrne scored three times to help UC Davis pull away for an 11-4 win.
Sophia Noble had 10 saves for the 10th-ranked Aggies (2-0) who were an impressive 8-for-12 with man advantage.
Santa Clara was just 3 of 9 scoring with the extra attacker and missed two penalty shot attempts.
Maggie Oys and Hailey Eberle each scored twice for the Broncos. Oys' second goal late in the third quarter pulled Santa Clara within 7-4, but the Aggies scored four times in the fourth quarter, all on the power play.
The Broncos scored just once on their final five attempts with the man advantage.
NOTES
• Emma Allegrucci, Maddy Gomes, Kelly Frumkin, Maggie Oys, Hailey Eberle, Gabi Sicat and Lydia Dadd started both games. Allegrucci, Oys, Eberle and Dadd are returning starters from last season.
• Dadd's 15 saves against Fresno Pacific were the third-highest total of her career. She had a career-best 20 against Sonoma State on Feb. 11, 2018 and recorded 16 vs. San Diego State on April 14, 2018.
NEXT UP
The Broncos will play at Cal State Monterey Bay on Saturday. Game time is noon.