By Alex Stoev (@alexstoevsjsu) – Spear Reporter | The team celebrating in the final seconds of the win (Photo by Gabriella Kelly – Spear Photographer)
No. 8 ranked San Jose State (8-5, 3-1 MW) men’s water polo won a tightly contested game in overtime against No. 9 ranked Pepperdine University (11-9, 1-3 WCC) 17-14 on SJSU Senior Day at the SRAC Pool on Friday.
The game early on was dominated by defense, with the first quarter score being 1-1, and 5-4 at halftime.
The defensive presence was felt by junior goalkeeper Brendon Gyapjas, who finished with eight saves compared to Pepperdine sophomore goalkeeper Max Smirnov’s 10 saves.
In the second half, the scoring picked up, but both teams couldn’t gain an edge over one another, with the biggest lead at the end of regulation being just one point by both teams.
Junior utility Giancarlo Marquez seemed to have scored the game winning goal with 36 seconds left in the fourth period, but Pepperdine sophomore utility Owen Tift would score the game tying goal just 15 seconds later.
Senior utility Laszlo Szieben and senior driver Mateja Bosic were both the difference makers in the overtime period.
Going into the extra frame tied 11-11, Szieben and Bosic set the tone for the rest of the period, scoring two goals each and making multiple defensive stops.
“I think that comes from experience, I’m one of the oldest players here and in those moments I should be one of those leaders the team can lean on and I think I did a pretty good job,” Bosic said.
Szieben talked about how great team chemistry in this game was the key factor in coming out with the win.
“Everybody knows their role, and mine is defense mainly,” Szieben said. “I think we have good team chemistry in that sense that everybody is doing whatever is best for the team. And I did whatever was best for the team.”
Szieben’s two overtime goals would be his only goals in the game, while Bosic finished with three goals and got four steals.
Sophomore driver Samu Biros was dominating on both sides, finishing with three goals, three assists and racking up six steals.
SJSU head coach Gabor Sarusi talked about how he was able to keep guys hot on defense when Pepperdine’s scoring was starting to pick up in the second half.
“I think we subbed a little more than they (Pepperdine) did, and I think that’s what made the difference.” Coach Sarusi said. “I think our guys were a little bit more focused towards the end of the game mentally.”
Junior utility Mitchell Keightley also had a great game. Offensively, he scored four goals and assisted on two more goals while defensively he stole the ball three times.
The team didn’t dominate overtime alone, the crowd was loud and riled up to help give momentum throughout the period.
Even SJSU’s women’s water polo team was out supporting, being the loudest part of the crowd during the extra frame.
It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Gyapjas throughout the game, but he ended on a positive note. Pulling off what every goalie dreams of, scoring a goal of his own.
“Funny backstory to last year’s semifinal game against Pepperdine. It wasn’t in regulation but Brendon scored two full pool shots on the same team,” Sarusi said when reflecting on Gyapjas’ two goals scored against the same team in a game last season.
The Spartans have a quick turnaround coming their way, staying home to take on the Pomona Pitzers at 11:40 a.m. on Oct. 25.
