SANTA CLARA, Calif. – In the opening match of the Julian Frasier Memorial Tournament, the University of California, Merced men's water polo team dropped a 15-9 contest to 17th-ranked Santa Clara.
Freshman Hayden Markell led the Bobcats (2-16) efforts with his first career hat trick. William Pezold and Camden Peterson scored two goals apiece. Noah Hernandez and Andrew Jones also deposited a shot into the back of the net.
Santa Clara scored the first four goals of the game and led 7-1 before the Bobcats went goal for goal with the Broncos the remainder of the game. Markell beat the first quarter buzzer to make it 7-2.
After two quick Santa Clara goals in the second quarter, Pezold scored his first of the day and it was a 9-3 Bronco advantage at intermission.
The Bobcats put together their best play in the third quarter as they outscored the tournament host 5-4. The two teams traded goals in the first four minutes and then the Bobcats scored three straight with a goal each from Pezold, Markell, and Jones.
In the fourth, Santa Clara scored twice while Markell completed his hat trick for the Bobcats with 3:45 left.
Matthew Lloyd earned the start in the cage and made eight saves in the first 24 minutes. Ethan Stocker patrolled the final eight minutes and stopped three shots.
Looking ahead, UC Merced will play LIU (9:00am) and No. 5 Fordham (2:20pm) on Saturday, October 26. Both matches will be held at the SRAC Pool at San Jose State University.
