SAN DIEGO - Santa Clara women's water polo persisted until the last buzzer in the 14-8 face-off against No. 21 San Diego State (14-13, 3-3), but they were unable to pull off the comeback. Elle Fredrickson notched another game with three goals to her name.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• The Broncos (6-19, 1-5) started off strong, as they typically do, with Kate Rodman scoring 15 seconds into the game. After SDSU scored their first point, Maddie Clough found the back of the net, making the score 2-1. SDSU responded, but shortly after, Megan Chambliss put the Broncos ahead again, giving Santa Clara a 3-2 lead. However, this would be their last lead of the game, and the score at the end of the first period was 6-4 in favor of the Aztecs.

• Sydney Maccabe won the sprint to start the second period, but the Broncos were unable to convert. Back-to-back goals from Fredrickson and Rodman narrowed the gap to 7-6, with the Aztecs still in the lead. San Diego State scored two more goals, ending the first half with a score of 9-6.

• Fredrickson scored her second goal of the game midway through the third period, bringing the Broncos within two points. This was the only goal of the third period, making the score 9-7.

• In the fourth period, the Aztecs scored three more times before Fredrickson scored her third and final goal of the day with four minutes left to play. This was the last effort from the Broncos, resulting in a final score of 14-8 in favor of the Aztecs.

UP NEXT:

• Santa Clara travels to Fresno for two games next weekend. They are slated to play Fresno State and Fresno Pacific.