Nov. 21, 2008

CLAREMONT, Calif. - The No. 15 Santa Clara men's water polo team earned a first round win over fourth seed No. 16 University of Redlands, 10-9, at the WWPA Conference Championship. The fifth seed Broncos were led by redshirt junior and conference first team honoree Jack Wall, who's stats came in threes, as he had three goals, assists and steals. Wall also posted a kick out and field block.

"Today's win was very exciting," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "It was a back-and-fourth game, but our defense really stepped it up in the second half to allow us to get the offensive advantage and a first round victory."

The Bulldogs took an early lead in the first half, leading 7-5. With 15 seconds left in the second quarter, junior Liam Farrell got on the board to make it a 7-6 game and give SCU momentum going into the second half.

In the third quarter, the Santa Clara defense frustrated the leading Redlands team, allowing them only two goals for the remaining two periods. SCU tallied eight field blocks and freshman goalie Michael Wishart posted 10 blocks.

Offensively, the Broncos took the lead with a 4-2 run in the final quarters to gain a first round win at the conference tournament. Junior Mike Sorgenfrei scored SCU's go-ahead goal in the third period that carried the momentum for the Bronco offensive attack.

In the game, Farrell posted two goals, three kick outs drawn, two field blocks and a steal. Redshirt senior Chris Parolin tallied an assist, two kick outs drawn, two field blocks and a steal. Both Farrell and Parolin are conference honorable mention selections.

Matt Alder, James Case and Mitchell Klipa each also notched goals in the game, and Nicholas Poggetti and Stephen Hobbs each had a kick out and a steal. Mike Detoy posted two kick outs and Andrew Fitch returned to the pool after missing last week's action due to illness to contribute a steal.

Today's win was a historic one for Wilbur, who is in his seventh season, as he earned his 100th career victory at the helm of the Bronco program. He is now first all-time in career coaching wins.

"It is great to get a milestone win in my career in a game like today's," Wilbur said. "Redlands is a talented team that tested us and the guys came out hard and strong."

The Broncos return to action Saturday, Nov. 22, at 1:15 p.m. SCU will take on the winner of the Loyola Marymount - Claremont game.

Santa Clara 10, Redlands 9

Goals
Wall - 3, Farrell - 2, Sorgenfrel - 2, Klipa - 1, Case - 1, Adler - 1

¬Assists
Early - 1, Parolin - 1, Wall - 3, Adler - 1

Kick Outs Drawn
Farrell - 3, Parolin - 2, Detoy - 2, Poggetti - 1, Wall - 1, Adler - 1, Hobbs - 1

Field Blocks
Farrell - 2, Klipa - 1, Parolin - 2, Poggetti - 1, Wall - 1, Adler - 1

Steals
Farrell - 1, Klipa - 1, Parolin - 1, Fitch - 1, Poggetti - 1, Wall - 3, Adler - 1, Hobbs - 1

Blocks
Wishart - 10