By Annabelle Bosque — Staff Writer
Hopes for a San Jose State men’s water polo (3-9) clean sweep of the four-day Mountain Pacific Invitational in Los Angeles were dashed by losses during its first three matchups, but the Spartans managed to eke out a win in its final game to return home with a 1-3 tournament finish.
The first day brought up the first loss against UC Santa Barbara (15-2), as the Gauchos defeated the Spartans 11-5.
Junior driver Justin Pickering, senior 2-meter Finn Pardon, senior utility Emerson Trout, senior driver Marc Weber and sophomore driver Nick Marchione each scored a point for the Spartans.
However, the Gauchos would hold their lead to win the match.
The Spartans had no luck its the second day against UC San Diego (10-5) and Pomona-Pitzer (6-4).
The first game of the day kicked off slow momentum as King Triton defeated the Spartans 15-5.
Sophomore attacker Neil Arnett tied the game in the first quarter, 1-1. UCSD scored giving them the lead the rest of the game. Pardon and Arnett were able to sink two into the net and senior driver Ashley Castle was recognized with one goal in the morning game.
SJSU was slow at the beginning of game 3 as Pomona-Pitzer took the
That close game is what gave the Spartans a fighting momentum to secure a win for their final match.
SJSU managed to defeat Air Force (7-7) 10-8 to close out the tournament.
Arnett’s goal tied the game in the first quarter, 1-1, and was followed by sophomore 2-meter Niels Hofmeijer’s goal, which put the Spartans ahead. SJSU played a stronger game to hold its lead over the Falcons.
SJSU has less than a week before it plays their first home match at 1 p.m. Saturday against Cal.
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