Malibu, Calif.----- In an opening weekend in which San Jose State University opened its 2020-21 men's water polo season playing three matches against opponents ranked either fifth or sixth in the country, the Spartans showed in their second match against #5-Pepperdine they can be an explosive offensive team.
A six-goal third-quarter was the highlight in a 17-10 loss to the Waves.
Though San José State (0-3, 0-2 Golden Coast Conference) scored first on Niels Hofmeijer's first of two goals of the match, Pepperdine was relentless offensively and led 10-2 at halftime.
Neil Arnett and Ben Hauschild each found the cage twice as the Spartans scored the first four goals of the third quarter and a season-high six in all to cut the deficit to four on three occasions.
"Those guys (Arnett, Hauschild, Hofmeijer and Finn Pardon) carried our younger guys and really stepped up. It was a good learning experience for our freshmen to see what the competition is like, adjust to the physicality of Division I water polo and how I want to play," said San Jose State head coach Bruce Watson, who made it a point for everyone on the traveling squad to see time in the pool.
After Arnett scored his last of three goals to pull the Spartans to 12-8 with 2:02 remaining in the third quarter, Pepperdine scored the next three goals for its second seven-goal advantage, 15-8, of the match.
Finn Pardon matched Arnett's three scores for San Jose State game-high scoring honors. Pardon finished the Spartans' first three matches with nine goals.
Pepperdine's Curtis Jarvis led all players with five.
Mason Smith was credited with two saves playing the first half for the Spartans. Noah Pendleton finished up in goal for San Jose State and had three saves.
"We played everybody and they played hard. It was exciting to play and a good opportunity to play our younger guys, introduce them to Division I water polo and show them what is needed," added Watson, whose team had two weeks of practice before opening weekend. Pepperdine already had played three matches by the time San Jose State held its first practice of the season.
John Claude Marco was credited with 11 saves for the Waves as San Jose State outshot Pepperdine, 32-26.
The Spartans return to action, Sunday, February 28, traveling to Santa Clara for a non-conference contest at 3:30 p.m.
| Score by quarters | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| #10-San José State (0-3, 0-2 GCC) | 2 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
| #6-Pepperdine (6-2, 2-0 GCC) | 5 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 17 |
| Scoring |
| San Jose State – Finn Pardon, Neil Arnett, 3, each; Niels Hofmeijer, Ben Hauschild, 2, each. |
| Pepperdine – Curtis Jarvis, 5; Balazs Kosa, 4; Jake Howerton, Sean Ferrari, 2, each; Nico Tierney, Kaden Kaneko, Christian Hosea, Travis Reynolds, 1, each. |
| Goalkeeper Saves |
| San Jose State – Mason Smith (16:00), 2; Noah Pendleton (16:00), 3. |
| Pepperdine – John Claude Marco, 11. |
| Ejections |
| San Jose State – 14. |
| Pepperdine – 15. |