By Jessica Jimenez — Staff Writer
San Jose State women’s water polo dropped it’s game 13-3 against the UCLA during a Mountain Pacific Sports Federation matchup at the West Valley Aquatics center Sunday afternoon.
No.18 Spartans (9-12, 1-3 MPSF) started out the game with several exclusions from three players and no goals scored in the first quarter.
Junior attacker Bronte Halligan was able to score for the No. 3 Bruins ( 21-4, 4-1 MPSF) with just over a minute left to play in the opening quarter.
San Jose State sophomore driver Lili Urvari scored on an overhand shot from the four meter line on even-strength putting the team on the scoreboard.
Urvari felt great about the goal she shot from far out.
“I knew we were at the end of the shot clock so I had to take the shot,” said Urvari. “I actually didn’t see if I scored or not. I just happy we scored finally.”
A minute and 13 seconds later, sophomore utility player Riley Agerbeek egg-beatered her way up out of the water, striking the net successfully. It wasn’t enough for SJSU to catch up before the end of the second quarter trailing behind UCLA, 6-2.
During the third quarter, freshman 2-meter defender Matilda Moore tossed in an impressive goal with her head underwater with two minutes left into play.
The team gave up four power play goals to the Bruins, and throughout the game Halligan put in three more goals all on even strength plays.
Bruins senior center position player Sarah Sheldon put in the two final goals for UCLA ending the game 13-3.
Junior driver Sierra Painter doesn’t feel as though this game was a failure for the Spartans, but rather it was another learning experience to help them prepare for their final game against Indiana University.
“I’m sure we will watch some film from playing them in fall and we’re just going to prepare like any other game,” said Painter. “We are really going to get our strategy and game down and we will be ready to play against them.”
The Spartans will host the Hoosiers for their final home game at 12 p.m. on Saturday at West Valley Aquatic Center.
Follow Jessica on Twitter @JessicaJim06
