SANTA CLARA, Calif. — No. 20 Santa Clara men's water polo struck first, but ultimately No. 5 Pepperdine proved to be too much as the Broncos fell 11-6 to the Waves in their 2023 home finale on Sunday at the Sullivan Aquatic Center. The Broncos honored their eight seniors - Ethan Evans, Cody Ferguson, Matt Somers, Michael Kreienkamp, Billy Barry, Chase Raisin, Bennett Stafford and Jack Gannaway in a pregame senior day ceremony. 

• Stafford opened the game with a score just one minute into the opening quarter to give the Broncos to early advantage. Pepperdine then scored the next goals to take a slim 2-1 lead at the end of the quarter. The Waves then continued their scoring spree in the second with four-straight unanswered goals before Gojko Kapovic ended the streak with less than a minute to play in the half. 
• Pepperdine (23-5, 4-1) stretched the lead to 10-3 after the third quarter. The Broncos scored the final three goals of the game to make it an 11-6 final. 
• Billy Barry led the way offensively with two goals and an assist.
• Harrison Labrosse made seven saves in the net while Evans also got some action at keeper in the final frame, making one save with no goals allowed. 

NEXT UP

• The Broncos (11-13, 1-4) will conclude the regular season on Friday, Nov. 10, on the road against Air Force in Colorado Springs. The WCC Tournament then awaits the following weekend in Malibu, Calif.