Oct. 27, 2007

The Santa Clara men's water polo team won their first overtime game of the year today, and they did it against #10 Loyola-Marymount, defeating their conference opponent 8-7. Tommy Kelly scored what would be the game winner two minutes into the first overtime and the Broncos held off LMU for the next four minutes to come away with the victory.

"It was a real back and forth game," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "I've never been in a more see-saw battle before." Neither team held a lead of more than one the entire game. Santa Clara led four times in the game and Loyola led three times.

After the score was tied at the end of regulation, there were two three-minute overtime periods to be played. With the shot clock winding down in the first overtime, Kelly took a shot with the clock winding down. "It was almost a trick shot," said Wilbur. "It was a spin lob, really an amazing shot, and it found the back of the net."

After that it was a battle to hang on to the lead, and the Broncos stepped up to the challenge. Robert Callahan, who played a great game, had a couple big blocks, including one on a five meter shot, and ended up holding LMU scoreless in the six minutes of overtime to hang on for the win.

In addition to his game winner, Kelly had another goal, an assist and a steal and again played great defense along with Andrew Fitch who finished with three steals and two very big field blocks.

Josh Early scored two goals and Liam Farrell had one goal along with a steal and two kickouts drawn. Stephen Hobbs and Matt Adler both found the back of the net once along with Charlie Moore who also chipped in three assists and a steal.

Tommy Hendrickson also contributed three assists, two steals, and a field block and Luke Oda as usual had two kickouts drawn.

Callahan blocked nine shots in the game, but also had a season high four steals.

"We did a great job to pull out a win against a good team like that, at their home, in front of maybe 500 people," said Wilbur. "I'm really proud of how we played today."

This was the team's first win against a top ten opponent since surprising #7 Loyola-Marymount last year.

The Broncos games against Chapman and Concordia have been cancelled, due to the fires in southern California. The team will finish off their weekend Sunday against Cal at their home at 1 p.m.