Stanford, Calif.----- San Jose State scored the first two goals of the match before losing to #1-Stanford, 19-8, at the Mountain Pacific Invitational men's water polo tournament.
Antonios Giannatsis and Justin Pickering scored for the Spartans (4-8) in the first four minutes of the match. Stanford (11-0) closed out the quarter scoring the next three goals for a 3-2 lead. Even midway through the second quarter, San Jose State was within striking distance, trailing 6-3.
Pickering was the Spartans' leading scorer with three goals. Cade Baldridge and Giannatsis each scored twice. Utku Binkanat also scored for the Spartans.
Yahav Fire was credited with seven saves in goal for San Jose State. James O'Brien also saw action and was credited with four saves.
The Stanford match marked the second time in six days San Jose State played the #1-ranked team in the Collegiate Water Polo Coaches Association weekly poll. The Spartans last six matches were against teams ranked in the top-five.
San Jose State has two matches in the Mountain Pacific Invitational on October 13 starting with #12-UC Irvine at noon and a second match later in the afternoon.
San Jose State University men's water polo
Mountain Pacific Invitational
#18-San Jose State vs. #1-Stanford
Avery Stadium, Stanford, Calif.
October 12, 2018
#18-San Jose State (4-8) 2-2-2-2=8
#1-Stanford (11-0) 3-6-4-6=19
Goal scoring
San Jose State – Justin Pickering, 3; Antonios Giannatsis, Cade Baldridge, 2, each. Utku Binkanat, 1.
Stanford – Hallock, MacTavish, 4, each; Williams, 3; Killion, Abramson, 2, each; Nelson, Parish, Orrick, Seybold, 1, each.
Goalkeeper saves
San Jose State – Yahav Fire, 7; James O'Brien, 4.
Stanford – Lewis, 6.
Ejections
San Jose State – 11.
Stanford – 6.