Sept. 24, 2017
Los Angeles, Calif.--- The San José State University men's water polo team (5-5) won their final game 9-6 against the Air Force Falcons (2-8) at the Mountain Pacific Invitational Sunday afternoon finishing in 13th place. The Spartans went 2-2 in the three-day tournament falling to No.2 USC and No.9 UCSB, but winning against No.19 Pomona-Pitzer and Air Force.In the 16-team MPI tournament Jacob Mercep led all players in Goals and Points (22 goals, two assists, and five steals).
"I really liked how competitive we were, said Spartan head coach Bruce Watson. "The guys battled, and never quit. We have started to catch the attention of other coaches. We are in the building process, but we are getting better."
Jacob "The Croatian Sensation" Mercep has 37 goals through 10 games in his first year as a Spartan, which is fifth in the Golden Coast Conference Division. He has accumulated 47 points this season which is sixth in the GCC.
Ben Hauschild gathered eight steals, two assists, and a goal against the Falcons. Hauschild is seventh in the division with 15 assists, and fifth in steals with 21.
Finn Pardon scored a pair of goals for the Spartans, along with goals from Luka Cupic and Ashley Castle.
The Spartans got off to a 5-0 lead in the first period, but a hat trick from Air Force's Garrett Fisk brought the Falcons back within striking distance of the Spartans.
"I am really excited about the potential we have," said coach Watson. "We came out, and got a 5-0 lead. Our youth and inexperience showed, but we ended up getting the win."
TJ Palmer got his fourth win this season against the Falcons. Palmer has tied the most wins in a single season for a Spartan goalie since the program was reinstated in 2015. Palmer was 10th in the tournament in saves with 35.
San Jose State now has a 5-5 record, the team's best record in September since the program returned in 2015.
The San José State men's water polo team next competes in Stanford, California September 30 at 11:00 a.m. to take on the Cardinal.