Box Score DAVIS, Calif. — Friday night's game between nationally ranked foes and former conference rivals wasn't only a weeknight, non-conference matchup.
 
And when the No. 18 Santa Clara University men's water polo team earned the victory – it took on even more meaning.
 
The No. 18 Broncos went on the road Friday and took down host and No. 13-ranked UC Davis, 14-12, to earn their first win over the Aggies in 13 years, and in the process, reach the 300th victory for head coach Keith Wilbur.
 
Santa Clara (6-2) never trailed in the game. In the process, it beat the Aggies (6-8) for the first time since Oct. 9, 2011, when it beat them, 9-6. That game was also in Davis, the Broncos were also ranked No. 18 back then, and they also never trailed in that game.

Friday's win was the 300th of Wilbur's career as head of the Santa Clara men's water polo program. He took over the Broncos' men's team in 2002 and is in his 23rd season at the helm in 2024.

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Friday's win at No. 13 UC Davis marked head coach @keithwilbur's 3??0??0??th career victory with the men's program ??????#StampedeTogether | #SCUBroncos pic.twitter.com/BzQli4Ursy

— Santa Clara Water Polo (@SCUPolo) September 28, 2024

Friday, the Broncos jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead thanks to goals from Zach Fales and Gojko Kapovic. Their lead would grow to as large as 4-1 in the second period before settling at 4-3 heading into halftime.
 
UC Davis eventually tied the game at 7-7 with two minutes left in the third period on a goal from Will Nomura. Charlie Engs gave Santa Clara back the lead right before the end of the third at 8-7. The Aggies battled to tie the game again at 8-8 and 9-9. Santa Clara took the lead back for good in the fourth when Luke Baird and Reese Jenican scored back-to-back goals to put the Broncos up, 11-9, with 3 1/2 minutes to play.
 
UC Davis got off three shots in the last minute of play, and SCU goalkeeper Harrison Labrosse made the stop each time, saving the game for the Broncos. Labrosse made 12 saves in the game.
 
Baird, Fales, Jenican and Kapovic all had three goals each. Engs and Riccardo De Simon added one each. De Simon also had three assists , while Engs and Kapovic added two each.
 
Santa Clara hosts its annual alumni game at noon Saturday at Sullivan Aquatic Center. They return to regular season competition on Oct. 5 with two games in the WCC/Big West Tournament at San Jose State. There, they'll have a rematch against UC Davis and also face UC Santa Barbara.