The No. 17 Santa Clara Broncos men’s water polo team suffered their second loss of the season on September 18, 2026, falling 21-4 to the No. 3 Stanford Cardinal at the Avery Aquatic Center in Stanford, California. This contest marked the opening day of the 2026 Overnight MPSF Invitational.
Stanford took control early, leading 5-1 after the first period and extending their lead to 8-2 by halftime. The Cardinal then scored eight unanswered goals in the third quarter to effectively secure the victory. Santa Clara added two goals in the final period, scored by senior center defender Jason Alietti and Mathijs Dirven.
Santa Clara’s four goals were scored by Riccardo De Simon, Ashton Brown, Jason Alietti, and Mathijs Dirven. The Broncos entered the game with a 6-1 record—their best start since 2009—and now hold a 6-2 overall record.
Looking ahead, Santa Clara will face No. 14 UC Santa Barbara in the second round of the MPSF Invitational on September 19, 2026.
CSB Take
The lopsided score against a top-ranked Stanford squad underscores the challenges facing the Santa Clara Broncos as they compete in a highly competitive MPSF Invitational field. While the loss halts their strong start, the experience gained from facing a higher-ranked opponent will be valuable as they prepare for an important next-round matchup against UC Santa Barbara. Maintaining focus and addressing defensive vulnerabilities will be critical for the Broncos to advance further in the tournament and sustain their successful season.
Source: Original report
