By Jonathan Cañas (@jonathancanas_) – Spear reporter
Spartan senior Garret Duardo raising his hand in celebration after a goal | Photo by Titus Wilkinson – The Spear
SJSU men’s water polo secured its first ever WCC championship after defeating Cal Baptist University 9-6 in Malibu, Calif. at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.
SJSU vs Pacific
The Spartans opened up the WCC tournament by playing against the University of Pacific. The Tigers kept it close in the first half only being down one point at 7-6. The Spartans extended the lead in the third quarter by out scoring the Tigers 3-1.
Spartan sophomore Mateja Bosic had three goals and caught the Tigers sleeping on a majestic looking floater for his last one. SJSU closed out Pacific with a final score of 14-9.
Close call against LMU
SJSU faced off against No. 16 Loyola Marymount University in the semifinals that wound up being a low scoring contest.
The Spartans came up with some last minute magic yet again in the final 32 seconds of the first half on a goal by Spartan sophomore Maro Tiozzo to increase their lead 4-3. SJSU scored its final three unanswered goals in the third quarter.
SJSU netminder Brendon Gyapjas recorded 19 saves as the Lions scored two goals in the fourth quarter to have the game finish 7-5.
Finals matchup
In the finals of the WCC tournament it was an anticipated rematch between SJSU and CBU. The Spartans defeated the Lancers in the final match of the regular season to secure third place in the bracket.
After trading shots to start off the first quarter the Spartans would go on to score five unanswered goals, having their way with the Lancers defense.
Bosic scored a team-high four goals to finish off the Lancers 9-6.
This was SJSU’s first ever WCC championship and it automatically qualified for the NCAA mens water polo championship for the first time since 1973.
Gyapjas was named the tournament’s most valuable player while Bosic and Spartan junior Laszlo Szieben joined him in the all tournament team.
SJSU men’s water polo will take on the No. 3 University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Calif. at Uytengsu Aquatics Center on Friday Dec. 1 at 6 p.m.
