RIVERSIDE, Calif.  – Fans tuning into the first-ever conference game for water polo in the West Coast Conference could not have asked for a better debut. No. 16 Santa Clara and No. 15 Cal Baptist squared off in tightly matched contest at the Lancer Aquatics Center that took nearly seven periods to decide a victor. Unfortunately the Broncos came up on the losing end as a Lancer goal 30 seconds into the sudden death period spoiled Santa Clara's hopes of a big road victory. Cal Baptist scored the final two goals of the extra periods to escape with a 15-14 victory.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• It was a back-and-forth affair from start to finish with the Lancers (9-12, 1-0) taking a 4-2 lead after one period and Santa Clara winning the second period 3-2 to make it a one-goal difference at the half. 
• The Broncos (6-7, 0-1) tied the game in the closing seconds of the third period as Bennett Stafford found the back of the net with eight seconds on the clock to make it 9-9 entering the fourth. 
• Santa Clara quickly grabbed a two-score advantage in the fourth behind goals from Gojko Kapovic and Billy Barry, but Cal Baptist answered with two goals of their own to make it 11-11. 
• Zach Fales gave the Broncos to advantage once again with just 1:16 remaining, however the Lancers countered that score as well with 41 seconds remaining. Fales had one last crack at it in the final moments but his shot was off the mark. 
• Barry gave the Broncos an outstanding start to overtime by scoring two quick goals in the fifth period, the second of which coming on a five-meter attempt with just :55 seconds left. Unfortunately Cal Baptist struck back with two goals of their own in the sixth period, setting the stage for the walk-off goal in sudden death. 
• Fales ended with a game-high four goals while Barry and Cody Ferguson added a hat trick each. 
• Kapovic had a game-best five points with three assists and a pair of goals to his credit. 
• Harrison Labrosse made 13 saves in the net. 

NEXT UP:

• The Broncos will stick around Riverside for the next two days to take part in the The Joust - a tournament co-hosted by Cal Baptist and Biola. Santa Clara will take on Redlands tomorrow in Riverside and will play Biola and Fresno Pacific on Saturday in La Jolla.