FRESNO, Calif. – Santa Clara men's water polo couldn't have asked for a much better way to open the 2023 campaign. The No. 16 Broncos won both of their games at the Fresno Pacific Tournament in convincing fashion, taking down UC Merced 22-7 and Fresno Pacific 21-5 to open the season a perfect 2-0. 

Game One - Broncos 22, UC Merced 7 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Broncos scored eight unanswered goals in the opening period to grab control early, and kept their foot on the pedal for the remainder of the game. 
• Santa Clara led 13-4 at the half and cruised through the final two periods to pick up their first victory of the season. 
• The Broncos converted on 57.9 percent of their shot attempts (22-for-38).
• Nine different players found the back of the net with eight scoring multiple goals. 
• Zach Fales led the charge scoring on four of his seven attempts. Mason Jaeger and newcomer Gojko Kapovic making his SCU debut each scored three goals. 
• Wyatt Stenson and Owen Van Stralen split time in the net at keeper, combining for 16 saves. Stenson led the way with a career-best 13 blocks. 

Game Two - Broncos 21, Fresno Pacific 5

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Once again, the Broncos opened with a quick scoring barrage to take a 5-0 lead that quickly grew to 11-1 at the halftime intermission. 
• The Broncos were even more efficient than in their first game, converting on 58.3 percent of their attempts (21-for-36). 
• Zach Fales once again was the leading scorer, tying his career-high of six goals. 
• Santa Clara spread the wealth with 11 players scoring in the torrid affair. Cody Ferguson scored three of his own while Chase Raisin and Harrison Villella put in a pair of goals. 
• Stenson got the start at goalie and split the time with Ethan Evans and freshman Harrison Labrosse. The trio combined for 13 saves. 

NOTABLE NUMBERS:

• 10 - Zach Fales combined for 10 goals between the two matches. 
• 43 - The Broncos combined for 43 goals for the day.
• 4 - Four players made their Santa Clara debuts on the day - Gojko Kapovic, Harrision Villella, Grant Roesch and Jason Alietti. 

NEXT UP:

• The Broncos will head to New Jersey next weekend for the Princeton Invitational. They are slated to play Iona on Sept. 8, Navy and Princeton on Sept. 9, and LIU Brooklyn Sept. 10.