Sunday, November 8
San Jose, CA
12:00 PM
Saint Mary's College of California
11
at
17
San Jose State
11/8/2026 2:30:00 PM | Men's Water Polo
SAN JOSE, Calif. - Saint Mary's men's water polo battled No. 15 San Jose State Sunday afternoon, falling to the Spartans 17-11 despite another double-digit goal performance from the Gaels. Four different Gaels recorded a brace in the match, with freshmen Noah Bigara and Hamish Ellison combining for eight drawn exclusions in the highly anticipated WCC matchup.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans would open the match on a three-goal run before junior Ethan Klerck opened the scoring for Saint Mary's, followed by freshman Rocco Di Rosa converting a five-meter penalty to bring the Gaels within one. Freshman Alessandro Fumo then slotted home his first of the match, followed by freshman goalkeeper Federico Castrucci stopping a five-meter penalty just before the quarter ended.Â
Lone Gaels senior Mason Black would then convert a five-meter penalty to open the second quarter, with freshman Domenico Barillà picking up his first goal to keep the Gaels in the match. Alessandro Fumo would secure his second career brace, while freshman Hamish Ellison scored his first of the match with the Gaels trailing 9-7 at the half.
Black and Barillà would open the second half with a goal apiece, with both securing their sixth brace of the season for Saint Mary's. The Gaels continued to battle, with Harry Irwin scoring his first of the match just before the end of the third quarter to keep the match within reach. While Hamish Ellison would record his second brace of the week after a seven-goal performance on Friday, a six-goal fourth quarter for the Spartans was enough to give them the victory in front of a packed Senior Day crowd.
Â
GAME NOTES
Saint Mary's men's water polo returns to action this coming Saturday, November 14th at 12 p.m., as they take on the No. 7 UC San Diego Tritons at Canyonview Aquatic Center for their final match of the regular season. The match can be streamed live on ESPN+, with additional match information available at smcgaels.com.Â
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans would open the match on a three-goal run before junior Ethan Klerck opened the scoring for Saint Mary's, followed by freshman Rocco Di Rosa converting a five-meter penalty to bring the Gaels within one. Freshman Alessandro Fumo then slotted home his first of the match, followed by freshman goalkeeper Federico Castrucci stopping a five-meter penalty just before the quarter ended.Â
Lone Gaels senior Mason Black would then convert a five-meter penalty to open the second quarter, with freshman Domenico Barillà picking up his first goal to keep the Gaels in the match. Alessandro Fumo would secure his second career brace, while freshman Hamish Ellison scored his first of the match with the Gaels trailing 9-7 at the half.
Black and Barillà would open the second half with a goal apiece, with both securing their sixth brace of the season for Saint Mary's. The Gaels continued to battle, with Harry Irwin scoring his first of the match just before the end of the third quarter to keep the match within reach. While Hamish Ellison would record his second brace of the week after a seven-goal performance on Friday, a six-goal fourth quarter for the Spartans was enough to give them the victory in front of a packed Senior Day crowd.
Â
GAME NOTES
- Hamish Ellison, Alessandro Fumo, Domenico Barillà, and Mason Black all recorded a brace in the match, with Ellison's brace bringing him to nine goals in two matches on the week.
- Noah Bigara led the Gaels with five drawn exclusions, bringing his team-high total to 75 drawn this season.
- Goalkeeper Federico Castrucci recorded four saves in the match for the 16th consecutive game, bringing his season total to 122, now seventh in the WCC.
- Seven different Gaels scored in the match, with Saint Mary's recording double-digit goals in a match for the 17th time this season.
Saint Mary's men's water polo returns to action this coming Saturday, November 14th at 12 p.m., as they take on the No. 7 UC San Diego Tritons at Canyonview Aquatic Center for their final match of the regular season. The match can be streamed live on ESPN+, with additional match information available at smcgaels.com.Â
Be sure to follow your Gaels on Facebook, Instagram, and X to get all the latest Saint Mary's athletics updates and information.
#GaelsRise
Players Mentioned
UTL
/ Men's Water PoloUTL
/ Men's Water PoloGK
/ Men's Water PoloDEF
/ Men's Water PoloATT
/ Men's Water PoloATT
/ Men's Water PoloATT
/ Men's Water PoloATT
/ Men's Water PoloSunday, November 08
Friday, November 06
Sunday, November 01
Friday, October 30
