Rust shows as water polo loses twice

By Brian Betz

A two-week break from competition showed its effects on the women's water polo team, as they dropped games to both UC San Diego and UC Irvine on Saturday.

Game one was hardly a contest. UCSD jumped out to a 10-1 halftime lead that put the match away before the Broncos knew what hit them. For a first period in which Santa Clara had multiple shots carom off the posts, they only trailed 3-1 going into the second quarter. However the Broncos were outscored 7-0 in the second, finishing with a Triton goal as time expired. The second half did not fare much better for the Broncos. The Tritons ended the match on a 6-1 scoring spurt led by Elizabeth Keesey. Keesey led all scorers with five, three of which came in the fourth quarter en route to the 18-4 win.

There was an obvious degree of hesitancy on the part of Santa Clara to take shots when within range. Some sloppy play resulted in numerous turnovers, many of which UCSD converted for goals.

The afternoon match against UC Irvine was much closer, but provided the same disappointing result for the women. The Broncos could not overcome an early 3-0 deficit, despite matching the Anteaters intensity stroke for stroke. Freshman Katy Shumm led the Broncos in scoring with a hat trick, but her two goal fourth was too little too late as Irvine took the match 8-6.

The two losses drop the Broncos to 18-12, with just three matches left before the postseason tournament at the end of the month. Santa Clara continues their five game home stand this Saturday against CS San Bernandino.