By Matthew Meyer (@mattmeyersjsu) – Spear Reporter | Senior driver Mitch Keightley looks for a shot from mid-pool (Photo by Gabriella Kelly – Spear Photographer)
No. 11 San Jose State men’s water polo (5-2, 0-0 WCC) fell short against No. 12 Princeton (8-0, 0-0 NWPC) on Saturday in its final match of the Princeton Invitational, losing 15-11.
Despite nearly erasing a four-goal deficit in the fourth period, the Spartans were unable to withstand the Tigers’ offense, allowing 4goals late in the period.
Four different Tigers recorded hat tricks, with sophomore attacker Taylor Bell leading the offense with 4 goals.
SJSU junior driver Austin Hexter and sophomore utilityman Sam Keightley both found the back of the net twice, while five other Spartans scored once.
Despite allowing 11 goals, Tigers senior goalkeeper Kristóf Kovács kept the Spartans at bay, notching 14 saves in the match.
Senior driver Mitchell Keightley stunned on both sides of the ball, matching his career high in assists with 5 and recording 3 steals and a block.
Freshman driver Aron Sárfalvi also had an impressive performance on defense, leading the team with 5 steals.
Saturday’s loss marked the first time this season the Spartans fell to an opponent ranked beneath them in Collegiate Water Polo Association polling.
“It was definitely a tough environment,” SJSU head coach Gabor Sarusi said. “There was a lot to learn from it. I’m hoping that we keep getting better and better as we play.”
The Spartans finished 3-4 at the Princeton Invitational and will face No. 5 Fordham University at 8 a.m. PST on Sunday at the Col. Francis B. Messmore Aquatic Center in Bronx, N.Y.
