Santa Clara Falls 11-10 in Overtime to San Jose State
Santa Clara dropped its fifth one-goal game of the season after a late comeback fell short in overtime.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Swimming
Santa Clara men's water polo lost 11-10 to San Jose State in overtime on Oct. 31 after trailing by three goals entering the fourth quarter. Ashton Brown tied the game with 1:27 left in regulation, but Aron Sárfalvi scored the winner with 45 seconds left in overtime.
Why it matters
The defeat was Santa Clara's fifth one-goal loss of the season, underscoring how narrowly the team has been losing close contests. The result comes as the Broncos, ranked No. 17 with a 12-12 record, look to close out a regular season with conference tournament implications in San Jose.
Santa Clara scored five fourth-quarter goals to erase a three-goal deficit, while Henry Engs recorded four assists in the game. The loss was the team's fifth one-goal defeat this season, and the extraction does not say how it changes the team's standing in the conference.
The players
Santa Clara men's water polo
The Broncos are a Division I program in the West Coast Conference competing out of Santa Clara University.
San Jose State
San Jose State is a public university in San Jose whose men's water polo team competes in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
The details
Santa Clara trailed 4-2 after the first quarter and 7-5 at halftime before rallying in the fourth period to force overtime. Both teams struggled to score in the extra period before Sárfalvi found the winner with 45 seconds remaining. The loss followed a 11-10 defeat to Saint Mary's the previous day.
Timeline
Oct. 30, 2026: Santa Clara lost 11-10 to Saint Mary's.
Oct. 31, 2026: Santa Clara lost 11-10 in overtime to San Jose State.
Nov. 6, 2026: Santa Clara plays Pacific in Stockton.
Nov. 8, 2026: Santa Clara hosts Air Force Academy in its final regular-season game.
Week of Nov. 20, 2026: Sullivan Aquatic Center hosts the WCC tournament.
Season Trajectory
The loss adds to a pattern of narrow defeats for Santa Clara in a regular season that will culminate with the WCC tournament at Sullivan Aquatic Center the week of Nov. 20. Each close result carries weight as the Broncos finish their schedule against Pacific and Air Force Academy.
Fans following the conference race can track the Broncos' remaining schedule, including a Nov. 6 trip to Pacific and a Nov. 8 home finale against Air Force Academy. The WCC tournament at Sullivan Aquatic Center the week of Nov. 20 will determine how the season ends for the team.
The takeaway
Close losses can decide tournament position, so the Broncos' final regular-season games and the WCC tournament will show whether the team can convert its late-game efforts into wins.
What happens next
Santa Clara plays Pacific in Stockton on Nov. 6, hosts Air Force Academy on Nov. 8 to end the regular season, and hosts the WCC tournament at Sullivan Aquatic Center the week of Nov. 20.
Further reading
For more on regional competition, see Swimming coverage across the Bay Area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Santa Clara.
