Broncos fight back from 0-8
By Chris Furnari
Eight straight losses is never an ideal start for any team in any sport. And let's face it, when that team is ranked nationally, such a poor start is even more magnified.
However, most teams don't face eight national powerhouses to begin a season. The men's water polo team played such a daunting schedule and came out on the wrong side of each and every result.
But since then, the Broncos have turned the corner, improving their record to 4-8 after going undefeated in the U.C. Santa Cruz Slugfest tournament and winning the championship.
"I kept telling the guys to keep their heads up," said head coach Keith Wilbur. "I just kept telling them that we'd have a good opportunity at the Slugfest."
The Broncos seized the opportunity and defeated no. 15 University of Redlands in the process.
And just how big was getting that first win?
"It was huge," said Wilbur with a chuckle. "Getting that first one against a team in our conference made it that much sweeter. It also pumped us up for the rest of the tournament."
The Broncos finished the first day of the tournament with a 9-7 win, improving their record to 2-8.
The following day, the team defeated California Lutheran University 15-7 after jumping out to an 8-0 lead in the first quarter. The Broncos capped off the tournament with a 16-11 victory in the championship game over Whittier College.
As strange as it sounds, the 0-8 start may have been exactly what the team needed.
The Broncos' main goal this season is to compete for a top-four spot in the Western Water Polo Association. Only 10 teams qualify for the conference tournament at the end of the season, and the Broncos are expected to be one of the 10.
Over the past four years, the Broncos have missed out on the tournament twice, and made itplacing eighth two years ago and finished sixth last year. The team has seen systematic improvement each season under Wilbur's watch.
An effective way to improve their conference play, Wilbur said, is by playing tough teams during the non-conference schedule rather than playing weaker teams.
"I've always been a proponent of playing a tough schedule," said Wilbur. "I think it makes our team better than if we went undefeated against bad teams."
The Broncos hope to take their momentum into this weekend's matches, especially with the play they have been receiving from key players.
Sophomore Jack Wall, the team's leading goal scorer, has been a pleasant spark for the Broncos on the offensive side of the ball.
Senior captain Kevin Starry, who's been a mainstay in the Bronco lineup since his freshman year, has provided the defensive presence every team needs, often covering the other team's best player. Starry recently recovered from a shoulder injury that left him sidelined this past spring and summer.
Although an 0-8 start is tough to swallow, the Broncos have shown that they know what it takes to win. And after notching that first victory, the Broncos can look ahead to their season-long goals and perhaps an opportunity to qualify for the NCAA tournament.
The Broncos square off against California Baptist University on Saturday, and then return to the Malley Pool to play their first home game of the year versus U.C. Davis on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 1 p.m.
Contact Chris Furnari at (408) 551-1918 or cfurnari@scu.edu