SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Santa Clara women's water polo team closed out the season after a heartbreaking loss to Concordia Irvine, 13-7. The Golden Eagles locked down on defense, and prevented the Broncos from converting on their 35 shots, compared to their 28. Kate Rodman was able to sneak past the defense three times on her 10 attempts, and Malaya Wright finished her fifth game this season with two goals. Santa Clara finished in eighth place in the Golden Coast Conference. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• To kick off the game, Sydney Maccabe won the sprint giving the Broncos offense a chance to convert. As the Golden Eagles were able to hold off Santa Clara's shots, they were able to nail three unanswered before Maccabe marked the board for the Broncos. 

• Following the Maccabe goal, Chloe Morrison found Rodman on a 6-on-5 to put the Broncos at two. This closed out the score at the first period in favor of CUI 6-5. 

• The second period saw the most action from both teams. CUI found all three of their goals within the first three minutes, but Santa Clara responded with three of their own. Goals from Rodman and two from Wright made the score 6-5 at the half. 

• CUI was able to shut down the Bronco offense in the third period, the score at the end of the third was 10-5. 

• Maccabe won the sprint entering the fourth period, hoping to start up the Bronco momentum. With a minute left to play, Clough added to the Broncos tally. Using that energy from Clough, Maccabe found Rodman who marked her third and final goal of the game. 

• The Golden Eagles' Jaden Soto recorded 17 saves in goal, preventing the Bronco offense from finding a rally.