SEASIDE, Calif. — The Santa Clara University women's water polo team put together a second-half charge Saturday on the road, but it wasn't enough to overcome an early deficit, as host Cal State Monterey Bay downed the Broncos, 12-7, at the Otter Tank.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Santa Clara (1-2) scored six of its seven goals Saturday during the third and fourth periods, closing what had been a seven-goal halftime gap to as little as five. But the Otters (2-3) rode the momentum of a 4-0 first-period lead and four more goals in the second to lead, 8-1, at the break and hold on for the victory.
   
• It was Cal State Monterey Bay's first win over the Broncos since 2023, a slim, one-goal triumph also in Seaside. All four of the Otters' wins in the series have come in Seaside.
   
• Avary Torres led the Broncos with her first multi-goal game of the year and a career-high-tying two goals. Mia Barkett, Megan Chambliss, Evelyn McLaughlin, Chloe Rizof and Calla Troxel also scored for SCU. Barkett and McLaughlin added two assists apiece for three-point days, and Sydney Maccabe also tallied two helpers. Haley Tassell made three saves in net for the Broncos and swiped a team-high two steals.
   
• Cal State Monterey Bay was led by four goals from Olivia Gutierrez and two more from Katie Rudis. Marissa White made 14 stops minding the goal for the Otters.

COMING UP 

• Santa Clara next travels to the East Coast for the Princeton Invitational beginning Friday, where it'll play four games in three days at Princeton's DeNunzio Pool.