By Isabella Dandoy (@DandoyIsabella) – Spear Reporter
Olga Descalzi with the ball in possession | Via Titus Wilkinson of The Spear
No. 20 SJSU women’s water polo (12-15 overall, 0-3 MPSF) competed with No. 5 Cal Berkeley (17-3 overall, 3-5 MPSF) in a tough match that resulted in a 4-9 loss for the Spartans.
But despite the large deficit, the team has greatly improved on its defense. Graduate Hannah Henry had 16 of the team’s 17 blocks/saves but allowed a detrimental nine goals for the golden bears. She also had three steals, which was the most by any Spartan in the game.
The Spartans’ effort on defense was easily outnumbered by the 14 turnovers which gave a chance for Cal to convert offensively.
Speaking of offense, the Spartans were given 15 powerplay opportunities. However, only three (20 percent) of those openings equated to goals.
Graduate Clarissa Wandinger, sophomore Maiken Pardon, sophomore Lauren Woolley, and senior Lior Ben David were all able to get on the board, scoring one goal apiece.
But despite the large deficit, the team has greatly improved its defense. The team had seven steals in total against a sizable opponent like Berkeley. Although SJSU’s past four games have not resulted in dubs, the matchups were considerably tougher (UCLA, Fresno State, USC).
The team will revisit these matchups in a couple of weeks at home.
SJSU women’s water polo has three more games left before its Mountain Pacific Conference Championship on April 28. The team will close its two-game homestand with a game against Indiana University (15-12 overall) on April 15 at 11 a.m.