Women's team dealing with top-notch competitors

By Gabe Taylor

The Santa Clara women's water polo team ended a winless drought on Sunday that dated back to the start of the season. 

Despite tacking on an early morning loss to Concordia University (11-8) at the UCSB Winter Invitational, Santa Clara sprang out of the gates  in their next game against Western Water Polo Association rival Sonoma State and held on to claim their first conference win of the season. 

"We had opportunities to win some other games, but we didn't and it gets to the point where you just want to get the first win under your belt," said Head Coach Keith Wilbur. 

Senior Laura Espinosa, a Bay Area local, surfaced as a key veteran for the Broncos. She recorded a goal, four kickouts and drew two five-meter penalties in Santa Clara's victory. 

"She stepped up big this weekend," said Wilbur.

Espinosa, who realized the significance of the conference win after the team started off the season losing seven straight, said "we really needed (the win against Sonoma State)."

Freshman Ashleigh Bandimere netted two goals to help spark Santa Clara's offense. 

The Broncos were able to establish an easy-flowing offense early on in the game by turning up the heat defensively.

"Everything starts with defense," said Wilbur. "Offense is fun and everybody has a lot of energy for that, but teams that win games — and win close games — play good defense."

According to Wilbur, learning how to handle a hard press, minimizing turnovers and halting counter attacks are crucial for Santa Clara to come out on the winning end against top-tier opponents. 

With four days off following their 6-4 victory over Sonoma State, the Broncos are nearing their next challenge: the No. 12 Michigan Wolverines. 

"If we come out hard, we should play with them," said Espinosa.

Santa Clara has already crossed paths with No. 2 Cal, No. 6 Arizona State, No. 14 UC Davis and No. 16 UC Santa Barbara. The Broncos were unable to pull off an upset in any one of the contests. Santa Clara received votes for the Jan. 4 rankings, but fell short of earning a spot in the top 20. 

Following Friday's match against Michigan, the Broncos will travel to Monterey to take on Cal State Monterey Bay in a conference matchup. The Otters attempt to throw off opponents by placing a ‘field' player in the cage alongside the goalie.  

"It's the only team I've seen that has done that in a long time," said Wilbur. 

Luckily for the Broncos, they are not as unfamiliar with the strategic maneuver as would be out-of-conference teams. Throughout the week, Santa Clara has conducted practice in which players attempt to  simulate the Otters' defensive approach. 

But with a game the day before, the Broncos must take it one step at a time.

Santa Clara will battle the Wolverines at the Sullivan Aquatic Center on Friday at 3:30 p.m., marking yet another nationally ranked opponent that the Broncos will attempt to unhinge. 

Contact Gabe Taylor at gtaylor@scu.edu or (408) 554-4852.