Rah rah Santa Clara
By Brian Betz
It's always nice to see your home team ranked nationally. Oh wait, I mean teams.
For the first time in history we have four squads ranked in the nation's top 25 during the same season: women's soccer, men's soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo. It's the most successful and promising time for Bronco athletics in my three years at this school.
And although I'm a month early for Thanksgiving, it's still appropriate for me to recognize, applaud and praise what the fall sports we do have (cough, cough, football, cough), have given us just five weeks into the 2003 school year.
No. 13 women's soccer may be underachieving if you look at their 9-3-4 record, considering they started the year no. 1. But, they've outscored their opponents 12-1 in their three WCC matches thus far (including a 5-0 win over no. 7 Pepperdine), and are pointed in the right direction as the NCAA Tournament nears. They haven't lost since Sep. 26 and I don't see any slowing of their momentum.
The men's squad has looked equally, if not more impressive, this season. After beginning the season unranked, Coach Cam Rast has propelled his team into the top 10 behind a stifiling defense that's given up just seven goals in 15 games. Rast's Broncos are currently the sixth-best team in the country and, just like the women, have yet to lose a game in conference play.
Climbing further up the ladder toward the nation's elite, the women's volleyball team, behind Coach Jon Wallace and All-Americans Kelli Sousa and Becki Potter have shown they're a mainstay in the polls. The good news with this team is that they're just now seeming to gel, and they're already no. 14 in nation. 3-0 in WCC play, they could go into the NCAA Tournament with a top 10 ranking.
And surprise, surprise, but the men's water polo team, which finished 10-26 last season, is currently ranked for the first time since 1999. A strong recruiting class, combined with a more mature core of returning starters is the major reason for their 19th rank in the polls.
A lot can happen before the fall season ends. But for now this historical accomplishment deserves notice, regardless how things play out.
Whatever the case, I'll take it as an omen for the rest of the year.
Contact Brian Betz at (408) 554-4852 or at bbetz@scu.edu.