Santa Clara 17, Sonoma State 10

(Written by Gian D'Ambra, SSU Sports Information Student Assistant)

ROHNERT PARK -- Senior Caitlin Risden matched a career-high with three goals in her final collegiate water polo match at home, and Noelle Herrera added three as well, but it wouldn't be enough as the Sonoma State women's water polo team lost 17-10 to NCAA Division I Santa Clara on Senior Day Saturday at the Dr. G. Edward Rudloff Pool in Rohnert Park.  Risden was the lone senior on this year's squad and was honored in a special pre-match ceremony.  The Seawolves fell to 7-20 this season while the Broncos improved to 14-11.

Risden scored the game's first goal to give Sonoma State the early 1-0 lead. The Broncos quickly answered back with three out of the next four goals to take a 3-2 lead, one they wouldn't relinquish the rest of the day.
    
Carliegh Robinson scored the second Seawolf goal to tie the game at 2-2, but the Broncos took a 5-2 lead into the second quarter. Shannon Baer and Jessica Becker each netted goals for the Seawolves in the second, but Santa Clara still held onto a three-goal lead heading into halftime, 7-4.
    
With 4:48 left in the third quarter Santa Clara extended its' lead to 10-4. The Seawolves then made a run to tighten up the game, looking to capture a comeback win on senior day. Noelle Herrera scored three out of the next four goals herself while Risden added her second of the game to cut the Bronco lead to 10-8. But, two more Santa Clara goals before the end of the third quarter made it 12-8 heading into the final period.
    
Becker scored her second of the game in the fourth quarter, and Risden netted her third goal of the game and last home goal of her career as a Seawolf. Those two fourth quarter goals weren't enough as the Broncos scored five more in the quarter to end the game with a 17-10 victory.
    
Saturday's match wrapped up the regular season schedule for Sonoma State, but prior to competing in the WWPA Championship Tournament on Apr. 25-27 in La Jolla, the Seawolves will play an exhibition match with the Olympic Club in San Francisco on Thursday at 7:30 pm.