SANTA CLARA, Calif. – No. 17 Santa Clara men’s water polo got back on track on Friday afternoon, defeating UC Merced 15-9 on the opening day of the Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament. The Broncos snapped a two-game losing skid and improved to 10-6, 0-2 on the year.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Santa Clara grabbed control of the contest early with a 7-2 opening period. The team distributed the ball well with seven different Broncos finding the back of the net.
- SCU scored two more in the third period and saw their lead grow to as much as nine in the third period after Riccardo De Simon netted his second goal of the game to put the Broncos up 12-3.
- With the game in hand, the Broncos played as many fresh faces as possible in the second half. Merced took advantage and scored five goals in the third period to cut the deficit to five at 13-8, but that was as close as SCU would allow.
- Owen Van Stralen got the start in the net and made seven saves against just three goals surrendered in the first half. Wyatt Stenson took over keeper duties in the second period and was .500 in his 12 chances to make a stop.
NOTABLE NUMBERS:
- A total of 10 Broncos scored in the game. De Simon led the way with three goals while Zach Fales, Reese Jenican and Henry Engs had two goals apiece.
- The Broncos converted on 40.5 percent of their shot attempts (15-for-37).
POSTGAME INTERVIEW:…