The San José State men’s water polo team defeated Team China-Shanghai 16-10 in an exhibition match on Thursday.

It was a dominant performance for the Spartans as they had an 11-2 lead after two periods of play that included 7 unanswered goals. 

Defense was a key factor in the game with SJSU having multiple strong defensive possessions. 

Spartan Goalkeeper Brendon Gyapjas played a key role in SJSU’s defense with multiple saves and holding China to only two goals in the first half. 

“I think we improved a lot defensively compared to the last two years, the (defense) helps a lot and in some cases it’s much easier for me,” said Gyapjas. 

It was a physical matchup between the two teams and they carried on throughout the entirety of the game. 

SJSU’s men’s water polo head coach Gabor Sarusi said the team has already played strong competition to begin the season. 

“We’ve played some really good teams like Long Beach, Cal and Davis. It’s the way water polo is played right now,” Sarusi said. “It’s not like it’s new to them, they’re expecting it at this point.”

SJSU Driver Mateja Bosić had a hat trick in the second period that included two-narrow backdoor scores and a long-distance shot from the middle of the pool. 

Bosić wasn’t the only player to have a hat trick this game, utility position players Sam Keightley and Giancarlo Marquez also scored three goals each. 

Marquez also had a strong defensive performance, tallying multiple blocks that went along with his three goals. 

The Spartans opened the third period with a new keeper, junior Alexey Poletaev who continued the strong keeper performance. 

“I think historically besides the last two years, we weren’t respected that much in the (National Collegiate Athletic Association), for us to comeback these last three years at the level that we’ve wanted to play at and that physicality – It’s promising and I’m super proud of the team at the level we got to play at tonight,” said Marquez. 

Some players on the team haven’t played at home before Thursday’s match. 

“Some of the newcomers, it was their first time playing in this pool at a home game, so they got to feel the environment and feel the love that the fans give us,” Marquez said.  

The rest of the game against China was to get the team more experience, especially the younger players on the roster.

China pulled within six goals in the fourth quarter, but the Spartans always had control of the game. 

“Strategically they switched their defense a little which we got a little surprised on, but we got really deep in our bench,” Sarusi said. “Some of the guys, this was their first game all season,” 

Even after a few sloppy offensive possessions, the Spartans defense held strong and prevented China from a late comeback.

Poletaev also prevented a last second goal China attempted to score before the match ended. “We looked at this game today as a really good opportunity to practice things, we didn’t necessarily prepare for this game – we were using it as preparation for our actual season,” Sarusi said. 

For Marquez, this game also meant a little more to him after his time with Team Canada over the summer. 

“I actually played them this summer at Under 20 worlds and they upset us (Team Canada) so it was a little bit of a revenge game, that’s why I came up with a little bit extra in the first quarter,” he said.

SJSU is scheduled to face Bay Area Rival Stanford at the SRAC in San José on Friday at noon.

“This win takes a bit of pressure off us because this is our home opener and everyone wants to defend the house,” Marquez said. “We’re having a great season this year so the more people that can come and see us, the better, the better we do as well.”