Oct. 12, 2003

Box Score

MALIBU, Calif. -- All-American Jesse Smith scored a season-high four goals in the final two quarters to lead No. 3 Pepperdine past sixth-ranked UC San Diego, 9-4, in non-conferene men's water polo action at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool in Malibu on Saturday.

The win improves the Waves to 11-2 on the season.

The first period found both teams playing solid defense as the Waves and Tritons struggled to score. UCSD's Jon Hopkins was the only player who managed an early goal and after the first quarter, UCSD led 1-0. However, Pepperdine quickly got back on track in the second period as three players scored and Pepperdine took the 4-2 advantage heading into the break . Michael Hausmann tallied two goals while John Ashby and Josh Acosta pitched in one each, respectively.

Four goals by Smith and one by Doug Mann led a 5-1 outburst by the Waves in the third and fourth period as Pepperdine took charge in the second half and raced home with the 9-4 victory. The win was head coach Terry Schroeder's 299th career win. He needs one more victory to earn a remarkable 300-win milestone in 18 years of coaching at Pepperdine.

The Waves open Mountain Pacific Sports Federation action hosting Pacific next Saturday (Oct. 18) at noon in Malibu.

UC San Diego 1 1 1 1 -- 4
Pepperdine 0 4 3 2 -- 9
UCSD: Matt Ellis, Jonathan Hopkins, Steven Jendrusina, Travis Boettner.
Pep: Jesse Smith 4, Michael Hausmann 2, Josh Acosta, John Ashby, Doug Mann.
Saves: Ben Tait (Pep) 13.