Nov. 15, 2008
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The No. 16 Santa Clara men's water polo team was edged 6-5 by conference rival No. 11 UC Davis, in a hard fought even keeled contest at the Sullivan Aquatic Center. The Broncos fall to 2-1 versus the Aggies in the season series. Santa Clara (14-12, 8-5 WWPA) was led by redshirt senior Josh Early, who had two goals in the game.
The Broncos came out the gate shooting, but were not able to reach the back of the net through one-and-a-half quarters. Davis took a 5-0 lead until 1:23 left in the second quarter when the Broncos James Case scored SCU's first goal of the game.
In the second half, Santa Clara came back with a 4-1 scoring run. Juniors Liam Farrell and Mike Sorgenfrei each posted goals, and freshman James Case, who won three sprints in the game, scored a goal as well.
Sophomore Mitchell Klipa had three steals, and Sorgenfrei, Chris Parolin and Mike Detoy each tallied a steal. With three minutes left in the game sophomore Nicholas Poggetti worked hard to try to get the offensive and score advantage for the Broncos with a pivotal steal; however SCU could not carry the momentum and get a tying goal into the net.
The Santa Clara defense led by goalie freshman Michael Wishart, played their strongest defensive game of the season in the second half, allowing Davis only one goal in the final two quarters. Wishart had four blocks and two steals in the game.
"During the second half we played our best defensive game of the season," head coach Keith Wilbur said. "We accomplished one of our season goals today - keeping opponents under 10 points. I am happy with our efforts today, but obviously I am disappointed in the end result."
The Broncos conclude WWPA regular season action versus UC Santa Cruz Sunday, Nov. 16 at noon. Prior to the game, SCU will honor the senior class of 2008 in a Senior Day ceremony.
Santa Clara 5, UC Davis 6
Goals
Farrell - 1, Early - 2, Sorgenfrei - 1, Case - 1
Assists
Farrell - 1, Parolin - 2, Poggetti - 1
Steals
Klipa - 3, Sorgenfrei - 1, Parolin - 1, Detoy - 1, Poggetti - 1, Wishart - 2
Kick Outs Drawn
Farrell - 2, Sorgenfrei - 2, Detoy - 2, Poggetti - 1, Case - 1, Wall - 1
Blocks
Wishart - 3
