By Mat Bejarano – Spear Reporter
SJSU sophomore Sinia Plotz surveying the defense looking to move the ball. l Photo by Titus Wilkinson – The Spear
The No. 18 SJSU women’s water polo team split its games on Saturday at the California Baptist University Mini Tournament at the Lancer Aquatic Center in Riverside, CA.
Game 1: No. 12 UC Santa Barbara: 10 No. 18 SJSU: 9
In the Spartans (1-3) first game against No. 12 UC Santa Barbara (5-1), SJSU took a 5-4 lead into the second half that included a goal from junior utility player Lucy Miszewski with five seconds left in the second quarter.
The Spartans would continue to extend their lead throughout the second half and held a 8-7 lead over the Gauchos with six minutes left in the game.
The two teams would exchange multiple goals, including a goal to tie the game 9-9 by UCSB junior utility player Annie Kuester, her fifth of the match.
Gauchos junior utility player Leigh Lyter would score the decisive goal with 3:46 remaining in the game, giving UCSB the 10-9 victory.
Game 2: No. 21 CSUN: 8 No. 18 SJSU: 10
The Spartans second game of the day would see things going their way as SJSU picked up its first win of the season over No. 21 Cal State University Northridge (2-2) 10-8.
SJSU freshman (UTL) Darcy Spark scored three goals in the game, including an assist to freshman attacker Jennine Osorio to give the Spartans a 10-7 lead with 3:54 left in the game.
“This was the first overnight trip for the Spartans. So we’re really excited to go out there we’re able to play Santa Barbara and CSUN and it’s great competition for us,” said SJSU head coach Beth Harberts in a video posted to sjsuspartans.com. “Our freshmen are getting tremendous experience and we have a lot of good leadership from our upperclassmen. So, overall successful weekend.”
The Spartans were helped out defensively with junior goalkeeper Grace Smith recording seven saves against the Matadors.
SJSU looks to start a winning streak when it faces off against Arizona State, U.C. Santa Barbara, Ottawa University Arizona and Marist in the Arizona State University Invitational in Tempe, Ariz. Feb. 10 and 11.