Box Score SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The No. 19 Santa Clara University men's water polo team cruised to its second consecutive season-opening victory Saturday and fourth in the last five years, dominating visiting Fresno Pacific, 18-4, at Sullivan Aquatic Center.
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Freshman utility player
Riccardo De Simon shined in his collegiate debut, tying for the team lead with three goals. De Simon had two goals before halftime for No. 19 Santa Clara (1-0). Senior attacker
Gojko Kapovic and redshirt sophomore center
Harrison Villella also scored three goals each.
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A total of 10 Broncos scored on Opening Day. Senior attacker
Zach Fales and redshirt freshman attacker
Charlie Kosinski were Santa Clara's other multi-goal scorers, notching two goals apiece. Freshmen
Luke Baird,
Henry Engs and
Thomas Wisdom all scored one goal each in their collegiate debuts Saturday. Redshirt junior attacker
Gavin Fisher and junior center
Reese Jenican scored one goal each.
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The Broncos scored throughout the game Saturday, surging in the second period with seven goals to pull away for an 11-3 halftime lead. They scored four times in both the first and third periods, and added three more in the fourth.
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Fresno Pacific (0-1) only managed one goal in both the first and third periods, getting shutout in the fourth. It tallied two goals in the second period, pulling to within 8-3 before the Broncos scored three unanswered before the break. De Simon scored his third goal of the game right before the buzzer in the second, stamping the Broncos' eight-goal halftime lead.
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The Broncos travel to the East Coast next weekend for the Princeton Invitational, taking place Friday through Sunday on the campus of Princeton University. There, they'll face Iona, Bucknell and Wagner, as well as host and preseason No. 5 Princeton. Fans can find all live coverage links on SantaClaraBroncos.com.
