PRINCETON, N.J. — The Santa Clara University women's water polo team held a first-period lead for the third consecutive game Saturday at the Princeton Invitational, but host and No. 17-ranked Princeton responded with five unanswered goals en route to a 21-7 win over the Broncos at DeNunzio Pool.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Santa Clara (1-5) jumped ahead of the No. 17 Tigers (3-0), 1-0, on a power play goal from Sydney Maccabe 83 seconds into the game. Maccabe would score another goal in the fourth period for her first multi-goal game of the season. Princeton answered the Broncos' early score with five unanswered goals to go up, 5-1, and never look back.
   
• Khloe Tarbet and Makenna Genco scored goals in the second period to give Santa Clara three in the first half. The Broncos would match that total in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the third period, storming out of halftime with a burst of goals from Chloe Rizof, Evelyn McLaughlin and Mikayla Crowe to pull within five at 11-6.
   
• But again, Princeton answered with its own burst of goals, scoring eight unanswered times to pull away with a 19-6 lead before Maccabe's final tally. The Tigers were led by four goals each from Didi Evans and Ava Houlahan. Three other Tigers scored three goals apiece.

COMING UP

• The Broncos wrap up the Princeton Invitational on Sunday when they face Villanova at 8 a.m. PST.