Nov. 17, 2001

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - The Santa Clara University men's water polo team dropped its second consecutive close match in the Western Water Polo Association Championship Saturday morning, this time falling to the University of LaVerne by a score of 5-4.

Santa Clara (9-14) jumped out to an early 3-1 lead over LaVerne but again had trouble converting on offensive opportunities. The Broncos went 0-for-3 on man-up situations Saturday and had an 18-minute scoreless streak between the second and third quarters allowing the Tigers back into the contest.

LaVerne scored three times during the Broncos scoreless druaght, taking a 4-3 lead into the fourth quarter. After a Bronco goal early in the fourth quarter, both teams played a close defensive style trying to force the other team into a mistake. Finally the Tigers snapped the tie with the game-winner late in the final stanza.

"The game came down to the final critical moments and they were just able to capitalize better than we were," said Hanson. "All we can do now is try and win tomorrow and finish our season on a good note."

Jay Moorhead scored twice to lead the Bronco offensive attack while Dan Figoni and Nick Takahashi each added one. The Broncos converted only four of their 26 shots on the day.

The Broncos will conclude their 2001 season on Sunday in the seventh place match in the WWPA Championships. Santa Clara will take on UC Santa Cruz at 10 a.m. in the Burns Recreation Center Pool on the campus of Loyola Marymount University.