Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisMe) -Spear Reporter
On a muggy day in San Jose State’s waters, SJSU (1-1, 0-0 WCC) fell to UCSB (2-2, 0-0-0 GCC) 10-9 despite a late comeback attempt for the Spartans.
SJSU came swinging out the gate scoring on an early power play with graduate student Niels Hofmeijer sniping the goal. After breaking the ice, UCSB would find themselves responding quickly on an odd-man rush making it 1-1.
After a few crossbar shots going both ways, UCSB would strike again making it 2-1 which they would hold onto until the end of the quarter.
Overall, it was a close quarter. However, the second quarter would quickly slip away from the Spartans’ grasp. After a goal on a power play, UCSB struck again, this time in a much more frustrating fashion.
Hofmeijer found himself on a quick transition breakaway after making a nice defensive play. Despite this great-looking opportunity, he would lose sight of the ball, turning it over to UCSB’s keeper who threw to senior driver Ryan Brosnan, who scored a quick goal.
The first half would end with UCSB on top 5-3, the momentum swinging back and forth but ending with UCSB maintaining most of it.
This feeling of control would continue early on into the third quarter with UCSB getting a quick goal making it 6-3.
At the end of the third, SJSU would find themselves in the deep end as UCSB was up 8-4. Then the 4th quarter would start and SJSU would suddenly find a second wind.
Every quarter had started with SJSU possession and this quarter would be no different. Finally, though, this possession would be capitalized on. Hofmeijer again found himself on the scoresheet with an early goal.
The fight would continue on in the fourth quarter as SJSU would bring the score to 9-7. With the tension at an all-time high, junior utility player Mark Kis would score to make it a one-goal game at 10-9.
Despite all of the late fight SJSU put up, it would eventually fall to UCSB 10-9.
SJSU men’s water polo’s next game will be on Sept. 11 at 12:00 p.m. on the road against UC Davis.
