STOCKTON, Calif.----- San Jose State University's beginning of the Golden Coast Conference (GCC) schedule looked more like a tennis score than a water polo match.
The No. 10-ranked Spartans (8-11, 0-1 GCC) trailed the No. 6-ranked Tigers (6-7, 1-0 GCC), 4-0 after the first quarter and 6-0 in the second, before finding their way at both ends of the pool.
Five times, San José State cut the six-goal deficit in half before running out of time in a 12-8 loss in the conference opener for both teams.
"After a bad start, the guys battled back and played even with another higher ranked team in UOP, which is typical of younger teams. Once we develop confidence in ourselves, we'll do much better," said San Jose State University men's water head coach Bruce Watson.
https://sjsuspartans.com/sports/mens-water-polo/roster/laszlo-szieben/5872 led the Spartans in scoring with his second three-goal effort in the last three matches. Bende Pardi added a pair as San Jose State's only other multi-goal scorer.
Goalkeepers Yahav Fire of San Jose State and John Hedges of Pacific each were credited with five saves.
San Jose State continues Golden Coast Conference action next Saturday, October 16, at No. 7 Long Beach State. ESPN+ will stream the match beginning at 12:00 p.m.
| Score by Quarters | Total | |
| No. 10 – San Jose State (8-11, 0-1 GCC) | 0-2-3-3 | 8 |
| No. 6 – Pacific (6-7, 1-0 GCC) | 4-2-3-3 | 12 |
| Goal Scoring |
| San José State – Laszlo Szieben, 3; Bende Pardi, 2; Mark Kis, Adam Bado, Bence Szabo, 1, each. |
| Pacific – Bogdan Djerkovic, 4; Jeremie Cote, Reuel D'Souza, Eli Lute, 2, each; Djorde Stanic, Calvin Behm, 1, each. |
| Goalkeeper Saves |
| San José State – Yahav Fire, 5. |
| Pacific – John Hedges, 5. |
| Ejections |
| San José State – 7. |
| Pacific – 10. |