By Alexis Corona – Spear Reporter | Photo Courtesy of SJSU Athletics
A slow start in the first half was too much for No. 14 San Jose State women’s water polo (13-12, 2-4 MPSF) to overcome in a 15-7 defeat against No. 4 California (18-4, 3-3 MPSF) Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles, California.
SJSU sophomore driver Jennine Osorio scored the first goal of the match, but Cal would score four unanswered goals to close the first quarter.
Cal freshman center forward Miriam Bogachenko scored two of the first four goals for Cal.
The Spartans converted only 30% of their goal attempts and 13% of their power plays.
SJSU sophomore driver Darcy Spark had four goals in the game, including two in the second quarter to stop the Golden Bears’ run.
According to SJSU Athletics’ website, Spark has 72 goals for the season, which puts her sixth on SJSU’s single-season goal-scoring list.
The Golden Bears’ efficient play continued in the third and fourth quarters, with four goals scored in both periods.
“As the game progressed, some of their counter-attacks got the better of us,” SJSU head coach Beth Harberts said in a video posted on X.
Harberts credited the Spartans’ fight on the defensive side with 10 blocks and seven steals in the game.
SJSU freshman two-meter defender Bridget Cranley and sophomore two-meter defender Rose Jensen were the only other players to score in the game.
“I am still very proud of the way the team came together and handled the adversity of calls,” Harberts said. “Our team culture is super strong, and we’re there to be able to pick each other up.”
SJSU will have a quick turnaround as they will face the winner of No. 10 Arizona State or No. 12 Indiana in the fifth-place match of the MPSF tournament at 11 a.m. Sunday in Los Angeles.
