LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The UC Davis men's water polo team pulled out a narrow 11-10 victory in a rematch against the 19th-ranked Santa Clara University Broncos Friday evening at the University of Southern California's Uytengsu Aquatics Center. The win moves the Aggies into the quarterfinal round of the MPSF Invitational, where they will face off against No. 3 USC.
Will Nomura drew a five-meter penalty, which Logan Anderson converted, to get the Aggies on the board first.
The Broncos responded quickly, putting in two goals before a JT Kujawa goal halted their momentum. A second Anderson penalty shot countered a Santa Clara goal to draw the Aggies even, 3-3, at the end of the first period.
It was a back-and-forth affair for the first three quarters, with neither team developing more than a one goal lead at any time.
Goals from Tyler Mrkaich and Colin Nichols helped UC Davis keep pace to end the first half, but Santa Clara took a one goal advantage into the final quarter break.
The Aggies responded with their backs against the wall, registering four straight goals to take a commanding three goal lead with just over a minute remaining in the contest.
Last week's Big West Player of the Week Aleix Aznar Beltran opened the fourth quarter barrage, with goals from Mrkaich, Max Stryker and Holden Neach following in turn.
The Broncos scored on the following two possessions, but time ran out before the last-ditch comeback could be completed.
Anderson, Mrkaich and Aaron Voggenthaler led the Aggie offense, each putting away two goals. Max Stryker finished with three assists and Nomura drew two exclusions.
With the win, UC Davis locks in a spot in the upper half of the bracket, with a chance to advance to the semifinals with a win on Saturday morning over USC. That game is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Uytengsu Aquatics Center.
