STANFORD, Calif. - While Santa Clara men's water polo was unable to come away with a victory, there was a lot to be proud of the Broncos in the opening round of the MPSF Invite hosted by Stanford. Santa Clara, the 15th seed, was matched up against No. 2 UCLA, and gave the Bruins a great test, but ultimately fell in a 13-9 final. 

The Broncos (2-4) led 2-1 after the first period of play after Bennett Stafford put in one of his two goals on the day inside the final seconds of play. Two quick goals by Cody Ferguson and Caedmon Fisher extended that lead to 4-1 early on in the second quarter. UCLA punched back though, outscoring the Broncos 5-1 over the rest of the quarter to take a 6-5 lead into the half.

UCLA scored two unanswered to begin the third quarter, but Max Hendrickson buried a shot to keep it a two-goal affair at 8-6 with under two mintues to go in the period. The Bruins punched back again with two more goals to create some seperation at 10-6 at the end of the quarter. The fourth quarter saw both teams exchange six goals as the Bruins held on to their four-goal advantage to pick up their 11th-straight victory to begin the season. 

Stafford led the way with his two goals while Chase Zamborelli made 12 stops in the net. 

Santa Clara will take on No. 9 San Jose State tomorrow in day two of the MPSF Invite. Game time is set for 10:40 a.m. from the Belardi Pool.