SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The No. 10 UC San Diego men's water polo team finished Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) regular season play Saturday afternoon on a high note, defeating No. 19 Santa Clara 11-6 at Sullivan Aquatic Center.
With the win, UCSD stands at 13-7 overall and 12-2 in conference, securing the top seed entering the WWPA Championship Tournament. The loss put SCU at 9-15 overall and 6-8 in the WWPA.
After scoring off the first possession, the Tritons had a relatively slow start as they finished the first quarter tied with the Broncos at two all. Second quarter goals by David Higginson, Joe Dietrich and Tommy Friedrich gave the Tritons a 5-4 lead going into the halftime break.
UCSD began to take control of the game in the third, outscoring Santa Clara 3-1. Dietrich scored back-to-back goals from two-meters around the five minute mark.
The Tritons tacked onto the three point lead by outscoring the Broncos 3-1 yet again in the final eight minutes of play.
UCSD concludes regular season play at home on Thursday, Nov.8 against UC Irvine. A ceremony will take place at the pool prior to the game to recognize the accomplishments of seniors Chris Barton, John Butler, Lance Curtiss, Brian Donohoe and Brian Roach.
The WWPA Championships take place Nov. 16-18 in Whittier.
UCSD 2 - 3 - 3 - 3 = 11
SCU 2 - 2 - 1 - 1 = 6
UCSD Goals: Joe Dietrich 3, Josh Stiling 2, Brian Roach 2, David Higginson 2, Tommy Friedrich, Brian Donohoe
SCU Goals: Jimmy Moore 2, Matt Kochalko, Kyle Nadel, Evan Chang, James Rude
-- UCSDtritons.com --
