SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – The Santa Clara University women's water polo team is competing at UC Santa Barbara's 2012 Winter Invitational this weekend. On Saturday, the Broncos dropped its tournament opener to No. 7 Arizona State then lost to Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) rival CSU Bakersfield by one goal the team's second game of the day.

Senior Laura Espinosa drew three kick outs against Arizona State and underclassmen Claire Eadington and Ashleigh Bandimere each had goals. In Game Two, Santa Clara's WWPA opener, the Broncos rallied from an early deficit but came up just short of completing the comeback.

Eadington had four assists against CSU Bakersfield helping pace the offense that saw Marina Allen and Jessica Shusko combine for five of the team's nine goals.

"We showed a lot of character coming back like we did," said Santa Clara head coach Keith Wilbur about the one-goal loss to CSU Bakersfield. "We just dug too big of a hole in that first quarter. We are looking to play four solid quarters in both games tomorrow. We are capable of doing that and are looking for a couple wins."

SCU will play Concordia at 9 a.m. on Sunday before wrapping up the four-game weekend with a WWPA matchup against Sonoma State at 1:25 p.m.

Arizona State vs. Santa Clara, 9:05 am

Arizona State Goals: Mariam Salloum 3, Alicia Brightwell 2, Gao Ao 2, Morgan Leech 2, Annabelle Carter 2, Liz Kreek 1, Shannon Haas 1, Petra Pardi 1, Makenzy Fowler 1, Amanda Young 1, Kelsey White 1
Arizona State Saves: Ianeta Hutchinson 7

Santa Clara Goals: Claire Eadington 1, Ashleigh Bandimere 1
Santa Clara Saves: Stephanie Clements 3, June Afshar 2

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Santa Clara vs. Cal State Bakersfield, 2:30 pm

Santa Clara Goals:  Marina Allen 3, Jessica Shusko 2, Julia Peters 1, Jamie Swartz 1, Laura Burtness 1, Sarah Safir 1
Santa Clara Saves: Stephanie Clements 8

Bakersfield Goals: Jessica Browning 4, Janelle Shelby 2, Sam Shead 2, Taylor Hanson 2
Bakersfield Saves: Megan Pezolla 11