Men's water polo anticipates WWPA tourney
By Jackson Morgus
No. 14 Santa Clara has fared well in the 2009 season, but according to their goals, they haven't accomplished anything yet. They have jumped out to a 19-10 record and a No. 14 national ranking, despite playing a schedule chocked full of top-25 teams.
However, the most important part of their season is upcoming.
"Our goal is to win conference (the Western Water Polo Association) and go to NCAA's," said Head Coach Keith Wilbur.
Santa Clara have had an excellent season in the pool. They had high expectations heading into the season ranked No. 16 nationally, and they haven't failed to meet them. They started hot out of the gate, upsetting a Princeton Tigers team ranked No. 11 in the nation, and finished undefeated in the season-opening Princeton Invitational (5-0).
That led to a top-10 ranking for the first time in the program's history, and while the Broncos have gone on to play just above .500 since that tournament, they are still among the top teams in the nation, having registered wins over five teams ranked in the top-25.
"We have had our ups and downs like any team will," said Wilbur. "Hopefully we will be playing our best ball heading into the conference championships."
The WWPA championships -- a water polo-specific conference comprised of 12 teams from California and one from Colorado -- will take place on Nov. 20 at Chapman University in Orange, Calif. At the moment, Santa Clara sits in second place in the WWPA behind the Loyola Marymount University Lions, whom they lost to 7-5 last weekend. In the pool, the team has been led by senior Jack Wall. Wall, named to the first team all-WWPA last year, has scored 51 goals and registered 36 assists this season.
However, for Wilbur's team, it has not been a one-man effort.
"Teams have been focusing on Jack, and that has been opening up other guys on offense," said Wilbur. "Nick (Poggetti) has been taking advantage of that and having a great year."
Poggetti has indeed stepped up for the Broncos, tallying 38 goals this year. Production has come from all around, as Santa Clara has eight players with double-digit goals and seven with double-digit assists. Leadership has also been a strength the team, which has five seniors, including Wall and Liam Farrell who is second on the team with 51 points.
While the most important stretch of the season for the Broncos won't come until the WWPAs, they still have three more matches before heading to the tournament. They take on rivals UC Davis and Cal this week, trying to hold onto their No. 2 conference ranking.
Water polo fans can come see the team in their last home match of the season this Sunday. The Broncos will take on the No. 2 Cal Bears. It will be Senior Day for Santa Clara at the Sullivan Aquatic Center. The game starts at noon, as the team will try to gain momentum going into the championship portion of their schedule.
While the team is happy with their efforts so far, they know that the most important stretch is ahead of them. If they can continue to get the production they have had so far, the experienced garnered from playing their difficult schedule could have them ready for the tournament.
Contact Jackson Morgus at jmorgus@scu.edu or (408) 551-1918.