By: Mohammad Najimi (@mnajimisjsu) – Spear Reporter | Spartans’ senior attacker Erik Duesund celebrates after scoring the go-ahead goal in overtime against Pepperdine on Nov. 22. (Photo courtesy of SJSU Athletics)
No. 10 and third seeded Pepperdine (17-11, 3-4 WCC) controlled the early waves, but No. 9 and second seeded San Jose State (13-7, 6-1 WCC) delivered the final splash in overtime, sinking the Waves 13–12 Friday afternoon at the Cadet Natatorium in Colorado Springs.
The Spartans now advance to the West Coast Conference championship match for the third consecutive year.
SJSU secured the victory when senior attacker Erik Duesund buried the go-ahead goal in overtime, giving SJSU just enough separation to outlast a final push from Pepperdine.
Freshman utility Sam Keightley led all scorers with five goals, while sophomore driver Samu Biros added four, including the crucial game-tying goal with 24 seconds left in regulation to push the Spartans into Sunday’s title match.
“For a freshman to come out like this game after game, it’s huge for our program,” SJSU head coach Gabor Sarusi said.
Pepperdine’s graduate center Matty Walsh added one more goal in the extra period, but the Waves were unable to find the equalizer.
The Waves opened the game with a 4–2 advantage behind early goals from junior utility Jon Carcarey and sophomore attacker Erik Ionescu, who finished with three goals, three assists and a steal in one of the strongest all-around performances of the day.
Pepperdine’s senior attacker Sandor Gal added two goals, two assists and two steals before receiving a red card right before the final whistle.
The Spartans responded with their most dominant stretch in the third quarter, scoring five goals to briefly seize control.
“We made some adjustments and thankfully it paid off,” Sarusi said.
Senior driver Mateja Bosić provided a steady veteran presence with three goals and two assists, while the Spartans’ underclassmen generated consistent pressure around the perimeter.
The intensity of the tight semifinal showed as both teams’ head coaches were issued yellow cards, Sarusi near the end of the third and Pepperdine’s Merrill Moses with one minute left in the period.
Despite SJSU’s surge, Pepperdine rallied in the fourth, reclaiming the lead before Biros forced overtime with his late equalizer.
“We just never lost faith. We definitely crawled ourselves back after the first quarter,” Sarusi said. “I did not feel for one second that we weren’t going to win this game.”
The statistical margin reflected the razor-thin contest: Pepperdine outshot SJSU 40–39, held a 3-for-7 advantage on power plays compared to the Spartans’ 1-for-5 and received eight saves from sophomore goalkeeper Max Smirnov.
SJSU junior goalkeeper Brendon Gyapjas finished with 11 saves, anchoring the team in the final minutes of regulation and overtime.
Both teams converted their lone penalty shots.
Ultimately, SJSU’s composure in overtime and its ability to generate timely scoring, proved decisive as the Spartans advanced to the championship game for a shot at the conference title.
SJSU will face No. 15 and fifth seeded California Baptist at noon on Nov. 23 at the Cadet Natatorium in Colorado Springs, Colo.
