March 18, 2014
San Jose, Calif.----- #10-San Jose State University completed its biggest comeback of the season in an 11-9 non-conference women's water polo win over #14-Indiana University at The Aquatics Center.
The Spartans (18-9) won their fifth game in a row over a four-day span despite trailing 4-1 in the first quarter and 8-4 with 5:24 remaining in the third quarter.
Clara Espar Llaquetfueled the San Jose State offensive surge with four of her five scores in a 5:38 span bridging the third and fourth quarters to tie the match at 8-8.
The Spartans got the game-winner from senior Rachel Henry with 6:12 left in the match and freshman Cara Robinsonconcluded a 6-0 San Jose State run with an even-strength score with 5:13 remaining. Robinson scored twice in the match.
Freshman goalkeeper Katelynn Thompson came in to start the second quarter in place of starter Maddie Reardonand was credited with a season-high 11 saves to keep San Jose State within striking distance. Thompson made six saves in the fourth quarter including stopping a 5-meter penalty shot with the Spartans ahead, 9-8.
Indiana (11-3) playing its second match in three days of its Spring Break trip to California and Hawaii scored the first two goals of the contest. The Hoosiers led 4-1 before Robinson scored for the Spartans with 2.3 seconds left to end the first and ignite San Jose State first comeback that resulted in a 4-4 tie with 5:13 left before halftime.
Indiana closed out the first half with three scores and added another with 5:24 left in the third quarter. At that moment, the Spartans used their final full time to great effect. Co-captain Timi Molnar, who scored on a second-quarter power play, could be heard throughout the entire Aquatic Center explaining to her teammates what needed to be done.
That's when Espar Llaquet got her scoring radar honed in. Over the last three matches, Espar Llaquet has 16 goals and is one shy of tying the San Jose State single-season record of 86 goals set by Adriana Vogt in 2011.
Shae Fournier, Indiana's top scorer with 33 goals, scored three times, all in the first half, to lead the Hoosiers in scoring. Goalkeeper Jessica Gaudreault matched San Jose State's Thompson with 11 saves, but was unable to come with a save in the decisive fourth quarter.
San Jose State gets a much-needed rest until March 29. The Spartans will host unbeaten and #1-ranked University of Southern California in a noon match at The Aquatics Center. Following the match, there will be alumni reunion in The Event Center honoring former San Jose State University women's water polo head coach Lou Tully, who died in 2013 at age 70.
San Jose State University women's water polo
The Aquatics Center, San Jose, Calif.
March 18, 2014
| Score by Quarters | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #14-Indiana (11-3) | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 9 |
| #10-San Jose State (18-9) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
| Goal Scoring |
| Indiana - Shae Fournier, 3; Rebecca Gerrity, Shelby Taylor, 2, each; Alexis Jones, Jordan Campbell, 1, each. |
| San Jose State - Clara Espar Llaquet, 5; Cara Robinson, 2; Rachel Henry, Victoria Smith, Rae Lekness, 1, each. |
| Goalkeeper Saves |
| Indiana - Jessica Gaudreault - 11. |
| San Jose State - Maddie Reardon, 3; Katelynn Thompson, 11. |
| Ejections |
| Indiana - 8. |
| San Jose State - 8. |