PRINCETON, N.J. 1 The Santa Clara Broncos men’s water polo team completed the Princeton Invitational with a perfect 3-0 record on September 12, pushing their overall season mark to 5-1. The Broncos secured a 16-9 win over Bucknell before topping No. 18 Harvard 13-11 in back-to-back games.
Against Bucknell, the Broncos held a slim 10-9 edge after three periods. Santa Clara surged ahead in the fourth quarter, scoring six consecutive goals to decisively take the match 16-9. Charlie Engs led the offense with three goals and three steals. Multiple Broncos, including Henry Engs, Ashton Brown, Riccardo De Simon, and Jamie De Zwart, scored multiple goals. Harrison Labrosse, starting as goaltender, recorded 11 saves and two steals.
In the showdown with Harvard, Santa Clara overcame a 9-8 deficit entering the final quarter. The Broncos dominated the closing period 5-1 to claim a 13-11 victory. Riccardo De Simon, a preseason All-West Coast Conference selection, delivered a career-high seven goals complemented by two steals and three drawn exclusions. Darion Wang and Luke Baird each added two goals, while Labrosse contributed 10 saves and a career-high five steals between the pipes.
Santa Clara will next compete at the Overnight MPSF Invitational hosted by Stanford University.
CSB Take
Santa Clara’s undefeated performance at the Princeton Invitational demonstrates the Broncos men’s water polo team’s growing consistency and competitive fire early in the season. Riccardo De Simon’s standout scoring burst against a ranked Harvard squad underscores the offensive talent the team possesses. Meanwhile, Harrison Labrosse’s sustained goaltending excellence provides strong defensive stability. As the Broncos prepare for the upcoming MPSF Invitational, their early successes position them as a formidable contender within and beyond the West Coast Conference.
Source: Original report
