STANFORD, Calif. - AJ Rossman and Tyler Abramson each scored twice during a key late run to propel No. 4-ranked Stanford to a 15-9 victory over Santa Clara men's water polo on Wednesday.
The Broncos (4-1), off to their best start in 12 years, put themselves in position for a potential upset road win.
Chase Raisin's goal late in the third quarter cut the Cardinal (3-0) lead to 8-7, but Jackson Painter answered on the ensuing possession with a perfectly placed shot to the right of Santa Clara goalie Sean Tehaney. Painter then set up Troy Gleason for a goal with 27 seconds left in the period.
Stanford's three goals in the opening 2 minutes of the fourth made it a six-goal cushion. Rossman posted a goal 29 seconds into the period and Abramson scored on a power play and a 5-meter penalty shot within a 29-second span. Rossman's scored again with 3 1/2 minutes left to cap a six-goal flurry.
Raisin had three goals and Billy Barry and Cody Ferguson each scored twice for the Broncos who led twice during the opening quarter.
Ike Love's goal with 1 second on the clock in the first period gave the Cardinal a 4-2 cushion but Barry and Raisin answered with goals in the second, a quarter that saw Stanford held off the scoreboard.
Raisin's first goal knotted the score at 4-all and the Broncos then made a defensive stand late in the period, surviving a 6-on-4 Stanford power play.
But Walker Seymour's goal early in the third quarter snapped a nearly 9-minute scoreless streak for Stanford. Andrew Churukian followed with an exclusion goal for a 6-4 lead.
The Cardinal was able to go 4-for-7 with the man advantage and connect on its lone 5-meter attempt. The Broncos were 3 of 8 with the extra attacker.
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The Broncos will play at San Jose State on Saturday with game time set for 4 p.m.
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