By Jessica Jimenez — Staff Writer
San Jose State men’s water polo (0-3) had a rough weekend competing in the Stanford Invitational tournament for a three game matchup.
The Spartans ultimately dropped its three games to Stanford, UCLA and the Olympic Club in an exhibition game 16-5, 15-10, 22-11.
To initiate the weekend, No.18 SJSU fell to No.3 Stanford (5-0) for its first game of the day.
Stanford took an early lead scoring within 20 seconds into the start of the first whistle.
Senior driver Marc Weber was the Spartans’ only goal scorer for the first period as the team was trailing behind 3-1.
During the second period, SJSU’s senior utility player Emerson Trout hit the back of the net on a powerplay assisted by sophomore driver Nick Marchione.
That would not be enough as the Cardinal ended the period with a six-goal lead.
The Spartans were unable to catch up to Stanford only scoring two more goals for the third and fourth periods.
SJSU returned to the Avery Aquatic Center for a morning game against No. 2 UCLA (5-0).
Weber put one up for the Spartans to start the game out just like he did the previous day.
Going into the second period, the Spartans only faced a one goal deficit ready to take on the Bruins.
Four SJSU players scored big in the second period, tying with UCLA 5-5.
Sophomore driver Adam Bado and senior utility player Giacomo Lovatelli were the only ones from SJSU to score in the third.
The Bruins zoomed past SJSU shortly after and the team never recovered.
Sophomore 2-meter defender Niels Hofmeijer was the last Spartan to throw one into the net ending the game with UCLA winning 15-10.
They faced numerous exclusions this game, 16 total as opposed to eight when playing against Stanford.
SJSU’s 1.250 power play percentage was the strongest throughout the game compared to UCLA’s at .308 percent.
Opening up the third and final game of the invite, Hofmeijer put three back-to-back goals in the net for the Spartans.
Olympic Club’s Cullen Hennessey helped the team score on two power plays ending the first period in a tie.
SJSU senior 2-meter defender Finn Pardon ended the second period with a goal but it was not good enough to catch up to Olympic as they were ahead by four.
The Spartans kept fighting throughout the final periods of the game and did not manage to come close in beating their opponents.
Freshman utility player Gage Pranajaya was the last Spartan to toss in a goal on an even strength in the fourth period ending the game 22-11.
The Spartans will prepare to bounce back after its losing streak to compete in the Aggie Invitational tournament at UC Davis beginning Saturday, September 21.
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