Managing a comeback in the third period, the San Jose State men’s water polo team fought until the final seconds against Pepperdine University, ultimately losing 10-9 after the Waves made a game-winning shot in the last three minutes.
SJSU is now 3-11 on the season as they prepare for their first Golden Coast Conference match of the season on Saturday.
Spartan and Waves of fans packed the bleachers at the Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center Sunday morning as both teams started strong early in the game.
Pepperdine came out a bit quicker and used their constant pressure to capitalize on SJSU’s early mistakes.
“We’re a little young and missed a couple shots that we could’ve made; that was the difference in the game,” head coach Bruce Watson said.
Watson said that Pepperdine was able to get those easy goals, which didn’t help
his team.
Going into halftime, the Waves led 6-4, but it didn’t discourage the Spartans.
Throughout the game, the lead changed between both teams four times, showing just how balanced the game was.
Pepperdine focused on its counter-attack plays the entire game, leaving the SJSU defense fighting to rush back and support sophomore goalkeeper Yahav Fire, who came in to save multiple shots.
Fire had a busy day with the Waves offense as he came in clutch with 13 saves, three of those being back-to-back in the last 2 minutes of
the game.
“When you get to the third and fourth quarter, that’s the time for players that matter to step up,” Fire said. “If I won’t step up, Pepperdine gets a bigger lead.”
SJSU senior driver Marc Weber had a standout game individually too, with 3 goals and 6 shots.
Scoring 3 of the Spartans’ 9 goals, Weber said his fellow teammates played more collectively this game and the overall team spirit gave him the confidence to shoot more.
“We have such a good team atmosphere and chemistry that we just push each other,” Weber said. “The guys push me to keep shooting and I do the same with the others.”
With two of those goals in the third period, Weber gave SJSU the advantage before ending the period with a tie game of 8-8.
Spartan fans were fired up as SJSU was on the verge of a huge comeback.
As both teams entered the fourth period, the race to take the lead made all of the players step up.
Fire, with his multiple saves, kept Pepperdine at bay but with 5 minutes left in the game, the Waves took the lead.
Two minutes after that, Waves sophomore attacker Max Sprute scored the game-winning goal after Spartan senior utility Emerson Trout gave up an easy pass.
“[Pepperdine] scratched and clawed back in,” Watson said.
Watson and the young Spartan team believe this game is a key stepping stone to gain experience as they go into Golden Coast Conference matches next. Watson said the young team is showing they can play against anyone.
“Now comes the crunch time of the season,” Weber said. “Everybody in practice and in the games needs to know, now it’s time to win the games.”
The Spartans will face Long Beach State on Saturday in their first Golden Coast Conference match of
the season.
