Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 MERCED, Calif. — Santa Clara men's water polo couldn't have asked for a much better way to open the season, putting together a dominant effort on Friday at the UC Merced Aquatics Center to open the season 2-0. The Broncos first dominated UC Merced, securing an 18-4 win, before following up with a decisive 23-7 triumph over Fresno Pacific. SCU extended their win streak in season-openers to five straight. 

Game One | #18 Santa Clara 18, UC Merced 4 

Imme van der Schaaf opening the scoring at 6:35 in the first quarter. Ashton Brown extended the lead with a goal at 5:54, assisted by Henry Engs, and SCU continued to dominate the quarter with additional goals from Beck Early, Julien Chow, and Hank Woodman, closing the first quarter with a 5-1 advantage. In the second quarter, the Broncos maintained their momentum, highlighted by a goal from Charlie Engs at 6:24, pushing their lead to 8-1. UC Merced found the net through Andrew Jones at 3:40, but SCU responded decisively with a series of goals, including two from Engs early in the third quarter. The scoring continued in the fourth quarter, with Jamie De Zwart and newcomers Mathijs Dirven and Nick Zimmerman adding to the Broncos' tally. Both Dirven and Zimmerman celebrated their first collegiate goals, contributing to the 18-4 victory, as Santa Clara outshot the Bobcats 34-12. 

Game Two | #18 Santa Clara 23, Fresno Pacific 7

Santa Clara continued its dominance in game two vs. the Sunbirds, particularly in the third quarter with eight total goals over the eight-minute period. The Broncos opened the match with Ashton Brown scoring at 7:17, followed by Riccardo De Simon's consecutive goals, giving Santa Clara a 3-0 lead. Despite a goal from Fresno Pacific's Ryder Stermer at 1:33, Santa Clara extended its lead to 5-1 by the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, Imme van der Schaaf scored at 6:48, though Yanti Quijada quickly responded for the Sunbirds at 6:21. SCU maintained its momentum in the third quarter, with De Simon scoring again at 5:28, leading the team to an 11-4 advantage. In the final quarter, the Broncos sealed the win with a series of goals, including Mathijs Dirven's strike at 7:47, contributing to his first career hat trick and resulting in a decisive 23-7 victory. Santa Clara outshot Fresno Pacific 40-29, showcasing its offensive efficiency.

Player Highlights:
- Against UC Merced, Charlie Engs led the scoring effort with three goals on four attempts, tying his career-high. Julien Chow and Jamie De Zwart each contributed two goals from two shots. Mathijs Dirven tallied two goals while also winning a sprint.
- In the victory over Fresno Pacific, De Simon led the scoring with four goals on seven attempts. Thomas Wisdom contributed significantly with a career-best three goals while freshman Darion Wang displayed versatility with two goals and two assists, along with three steals. 

Game Notes:
- Santa Clara won their fifth-consecutive season-opening game.
- Santa Clara improved to 4-0 all-time against UC Merced and 18-1 all-time against Fresno Pacific.
- Charlie Engs tied his career-high with three goals while Thomas Wisdom also logged a hat trick with a career-high three goals.
- Mathijs Dirven, Dylan Hazen, Nick Zimmerman, Darion Wang scored their first collegiate goals. Freshman goalkeeper Connor Clougherty also made his collegiate debut and made a pair of stops in 16 minutes of work. 
- Head Coach Keith Wilbur picked up his 600th victory at Santa Clara (men's and women's teams combined).