Sept. 23, 2017
Los Angeles, Calif.--- Jacob Mercep scored 18 goals in three games for the Spartans and led them to a 1-2 record so far at the Mountain Pacific Invitational men's water polo tournament. The freshman now has 42 points in eight games this season (33 goals, nine assists, eight steals).
The Spartans lost 18-9 to #2-ranked USC, and 13-12 to #7-UCSB. In the third match of the tournament, San José State defeated No.19 Pomona-Pitzer, 13-8.
UC Santa Barbara 13, San José State 12
The Gauchos edged out the Spartans 13-12 in the second match of the tournament at the Burns Aquatics Center.
Hat tricks from UCSB's Ivan Gvozdanovic and Chad Nelson deflated the Spartans.
Jacob Mercep scored six goals in the match with help of a pair of goals from Ashley Castle.
San José State 13, Pomona-Pitzer 8
The Spartans defeated Pomona-Pitzer, 13-8, to finish their third match of the tournament. Six goals from Mercep, and a pair of goals from Justin Pickering and Luka Cupic led the Spartans to their fourth win on the season.
Scoring for the Sagehens were two goals from Jacob Niskey, Cade Curry, and Maxwell Bethel.
Spartan goalie TJ Palmer made 10 saves and added one steal in the match.
The Spartans will face Air Force, for 13th place in the 16-team tournament, Sunday, September 24, at 11:30 a.m. at the Burns Recreation Center pool on the Loyola Marymount University campus.