Aug. 27, 2015
Junior college All-American goalkeeper Matej Matijevic is excited to be a member of the reincarnated San Jose State Spartans men's water polo team and looks to share his experience playing in Europe.
"The program being new is the biggest thing that attracted me to San Jose State. We have a chance to build from scratch," Matijevic said. "I gained experience playing in Croatia when I was younger. Now, I'm sharing what I've learned to help the team improve in the pool."
Before coming to the United States to play for the Long Beach City College Vikings last season, Matijevic was a member of the Croatian junior national team.
"Matijevic gives us a level of water polo experience back on defense that will help. He will not only play well in the goal but he'll help direct the defense and some of our younger players," said head coach Bruce Watson.
In August 2014, the Croatian team won the bronze medal at the men's European Under-19 water polo championships in Tbilisi, Georgia. Matijevic was the starting goalkeeper.
"My goal is to win as many games as we can, to grow and improve as a team, and to make San Jose State one of the best water polo programs around," Matijevic said.
Matej is studying economics at San Jose State and has an interest in continuing his water polo career after college. "I would like to keep playing or move into coaching when I graduate."
San Jose State opens the season against Santa Clara University at the Aquatic Center on September 5 at 12:00 p.m. Admission to the match is free.