Despite loss, the Aggies show improvement in match against San Jose State University
By DANIELLE WIRNOWSKI— sports@theaggie.org
The UC Davis Aggies’ men’s water polo team headed down to San Jose on Oct. 4 to participate in the BW Invitational, the San José State University (SJSU) State Tournament, where they went head-to-head against SJSU and Loyola Marymount University.
The Aggies, ready for a rematch against SJSU, went into their game with a fighting spirit.
“I want to prove [SJSU] wrong,” Brody Crouch, a fourth-year communications major, said. “I want us to come out firing.”
UC Davis’ team went on the attack from the whistle, scoring one goal within the first four minutes of the game. Despite the goals SJSU scored, the Aggies prevented them from taking the lead. By the end of the first quarter, the Aggies were up 3-2.
Davis’ players continued this attack well into the second quarter, only allowing SJSU to score two additional goals while the Aggies were able to score three. By the start of the second half, the Aggies had earned a 6-4 lead.
Thomas Marr, a second-year managerial economics major, and Thomas Kiesling, a third-year economics major, helped their teammates remain in the lead heading into the second half, scoring two goals each.
The Aggies held on to their lead through the third quarter and up until the midway point in the fourth quarter. At the beginning of the fourth, SJSU went on a scoring drive, scoring two goals within the first two minutes. This put them in the lead, 8-7, with six minutes left in the match.
In the last three minutes of the game, the Aggies turned to Crouch, resulting in a tied score at 8-8. In the last 20 seconds, SJSU got past the Aggies’ defense and managed to score one last goal, giving them the victory.
Despite UC Davis’ loss, the players showed significant improvements in multiple areas in their play and narrowly missed a victory.
“You either win or you learn,” Crouch said of his water polo coach’s philosophy.
From the Aggies’ match against SJSU on Sept. 6 to this match, it is apparent they have learned from their previous match and made significant improvements.
Crouch described his mindset and remaining positive after losses.
“Knowing that if we lose, then we lose, [it goes] on our record but doesn’t really matter. Who cares?” Crouch said. “You have to have a goldfish mindset about it. You have to just be ready to move on.”
During the same match-up in September, the Aggies only managed four steals — in this match, they had 23 steals. UC Davis’ team also took more shots in this match than in the previous, taking a total of 37 shots versus 35. Baxter Chelsom, a third-year psychology major, increased the number of saves he made as a goalkeeper, going from eight to nine. Additionally, the Aggies decreased the number of penalties they received, moving from 13 to nine.
Improvements were made in both offensive and defensive strategies, resulting in a close score for the Oct. 4 match. These improvements were made possible due to the team atmosphere and leadership on the men’s water polo roster, which fosters an environment of growth and support, according to Crouch.
“These guys are my family,” Crouch said. “We really rely on each other for everything outside of classes [and] outside of practices. We spend time together; we live together.”
This leadership and friendship, as noted by Crouch, encourages team bonding and cultivates cooperation and communication within the team in and out of the water.
The Aggies hop back into the water on Oct. 10 against the University of California, Irvine. Following this match-up, Davis’ team will return home on Oct. 17 to play against California State University, Fullerton, a game that will feature a cowbell giveaway and a faculty and staff appreciation.
Written by: Danielle Wirnowski — sports@theaggie.org
