By Sara Biela – Content Editor
After an impressive 3-1 performance in the Aggie Roundup, San Jose State men’s water polo stays close to home in two local matchups against Santa Clara University and UC Berkeley.
The Spartans (3-2) host the Broncos (3-3) in Saratoga, Calif., then travel to Berkeley for a weekend contest against the No. 3 Golden Bears (9-1).
Utility Mac Carey leads SCU with 15 goals and seven steals in six games. Despite only have tallied four goals so far, driver Shane Hughes sits on top with 12 assists.
In the Broncos’ 16-9 loss against Cal on Wednesday, Reilley May led the team with four goals. The center went from a total of three goals to seven in one game, so he may be another player to keep an eye on.
In the net, goalie Keaton Fox has 45 blocks, but has allowed 69 goals in six games. The Spartan offense will look to jump on the junior early and keep the pressure intact.
SJSU has more of a challenge the following day as it faces No. 3 Cal in Berkeley.
Both programs met last season, which resulted in a dominant 20-6 win for the Golden Bears.
Goalie Bernardo Carelli has been a key player in Cal’s success thus far with 95 saves in 10 games.
Attacker Vassilis Tzavaras’ 21 goals leads his team, with fellow attacker Safak Simsek and utility Odysseas Masmanidis not far behind at 18 apiece.
The Spartan defense will have to keep an aggressive Cal offense at ease, and keep the ball away from Yahav Fire and the rest of the SJSU goalkeepers.
Friday’s matchup versus the Broncos is set for 6 p.m., followed by an 11 a.m. start against the Golden Bears on Saturday.
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