SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Cutino Award Watch List honoree Reese Jenican delivered in the clutch Sunday, as the No. 17 Santa Clara University men's water polo team toppled No. 15 Pacific, 13-11, to open West Coast Conference play at the Sullivan Aquatic Center.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Jenican scored a game-high four goals, capped by the decisive strike in the final minute. With the score tied 11-11 and only 54 seconds on the clock, he took an entry pass from Imme van der Schaaf at two meters, fought for position, turned, and fired home the go-ahead goal to put the Broncos (7-6, 1-0 WCC) ahead for good.
   
• The Tigers (7-5, 1-1 WCC) erased a multi-goal deficit in the fourth period with goals from Apostolos Georgaras and Borisz Kasa-Gal to tie it at 11-11 with two minutes to play. Santa Clara had led by as many as four (8-4) midway through the third, but a 4-1 Pacific scoring run pulled it back to within one at 9-8, and it was a brand new ballgame.
   
• Jenican's presence was felt throughout. He scored twice in the fourth period alone—once to halt Pacific's rally and once for the game-winner—and earlier ended an eight-minute scoring drought in the second period with a strike that pushed SCU ahead 4-2. He also tallied a steal and drew an exclusion.
   
• Santa Clara jumped out fast, getting goals from Henry Engs, Riccardo De Simon, and Jenican to seize a 3-0 lead in the opening frame. Pacific, meanwhile, committed three turnovers and went 0-for-4 on power plays in the first.
   
• The Tigers' offense finally got going in the second period with two goals in 50 seconds to make it a one-score game at 3-2. They also surged out of the gate in the second half, outscoring Santa Clara, 5-4, in the third period to make it a one-goal game again at 9-8.
   
• De Simon matched Jenican with four goals of his own, including the empty-netter at the buzzer to seal the victory. He added an assist and a steal. Engs posted three goals and three assists for a game-high six points. Van der Schaaf chipped in a goal, three assists, a steal, and drew an exclusion. Georgaras finished with three goals for Pacific, while Kasa-Gal contributed two goals and three assists for five points.

COMING UP

• The Broncos conclude their home stand on Saturday when they host No. 9 Long Beach State and also play their annual alumni game. Saturday's non-conference game versus LBSU is scheduled for a noon start, with the alumni game slated for 2 p.m.