By Lindsey Boyd (@lindsboyd3 ):
In its first exhibition match of the preseason, San Jose State’s women’s water polo had the unique opportunity to host China’s national women’s team at West Valley college Friday night. In the first 14 minutes of the game, China pounded out a 10-0 run against the Spartans to ultimately win, 15-4.
SJSU had difficulty shutting down Deng Zewen who scored three of the six goals China scored in the first period. The Spartans had three ejections of their own in the first, and couldn’t convert on any shots. Four of their attempts were saved by goalkeeper Peng Lin.
In the last 46 seconds of the second quarter, junior driver Michelle Taikeff put up the first point for SJSU and junior attacker Guara Garcia Deigado followed early in the third to bring the score 10-2.
Senior goalkeeper Tayler Peters had the most saves of the game with five in the third quarter.
China went on 5-0 run shooting and shut down the Spartans for about 13 minutes until junior 2-meter Sheila Jensen broke through with the goal late in the fourth. Senior driver Kiaudia Paradi was the last Spartan to score.
After the challenging 15-4 loss, SJSU will host China again at the Lou Tully Memorial Invitational with four other teams, but will play against Cal State East Bay in the official season opener Jan. 20 at 8 a.m.