MALIBU, Calif. — No. 8 Pepperdine water polo (9-7, 0-1 WCC) returns home to Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool for the first time in over a month to host No. 13 Princeton (14-4, 4-1 NWPC) on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

The game can be streamed live on ESPN+ with live stats available on the FOSH. Tickets are available for purchase  here.

The two sides matched up earlier this season at the MPSF Invite, as the Waves prevailed in a 17-15 victory over the Tigers on Sept. 21.

It marks just the fourth game to this point in the season for the Waves, as the most recent affair in Malibu saw a sudden death overtime victory over No. 19 UCSB.

LAST TIME OUT

• The Waves fell by a score of 15-10 in the WCC opener at No. 15 California Baptist on Thursday night.
• Erik Ionescu led the Waves with five goals while Reed Pantaleon and Dane Howell each added a pair.
• Pepperdine fell behind 6-1 in the early stages as the Lancers held a multi-goal lead from the opening period to the final whistle.

GAME NOTES

• Pepperdine moved up two spots in this week's CWPA poll, with No. 8 being the highest the Waves have come in since the preseason poll.
• Sandor Gal has recorded 20 goals and 30 assists on the season, becoming the first Wave to reach the 50-point mark.
• Dane Howell has paced the Waves this season with 33 goals.
• Howell has scored multiple goals in 12 of 16 games this season.
• Matty Walsh has been a consistent force at center for the Waves, having scored 30 times this season with a goal in 14 of 16 games.
• Erik Ionescu is second on the squad with 49 points.
• Ionescu has scored multiple goals in five straight games including a season-high five tallies last time out at CBU.
• Jon Carcarey continues to lead the defense for Pepperdine, having totaled 16 steals to go along with 24 points.
• Brian Barnuevo has scored in seven of eight games as the freshman has logged 16 goals and 28 points on the season.
• Reed Pantaleon recorded his fourth multi-goal effort of the season in Pepperdine's most recent game, bringing his season total to 12 goals.
• Max Smirnov has recorded a .454 save-percentage and 12.76 GAA in 12 appearances on the season for the Waves.
• Pepperdine boasts a 2-1 record at home this season.

SERIES HISTORY

• The Waves enter play with a 6-2 all-time record against the Tigers.
• Princeton made the trip to Malibu in 2024, collecting a narrow 12-11 win over the Waves.
• The Waves defeated the Tigers 17-15 on Sept. 21 at USC as part of the MPSF Invite.
• Princeton holds a 2-2 record at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool in the series.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS

• Princeton enters play with a 14-4 overall record and 4-1 mark in NWPC play.
• The Tigers saw a four-game winning streak snapped last time out at the hands of Harvard, 13-12.
• Princeton holds a 3-1 record in true road games this season.
• The Tigers are led by Adam Peocz, who has tallied 31 goals and 30 assists in 17 games this season.
• Kristóf Kovács has commanded the cage this season for Princeton with a .509 save-percentage in 17 starts.

The Waves will take on No. 18 Pacific next, hosting the Tigers this Friday at 1:30 p.m. from Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.

ABOUT PEPPERDINE WATER POLO
Pepperdine water polo has seen success spanning decades under Terry Schroeder who gave the reins to Merrill Moses following the 2023 season. Highlighted by its national championship in 1997 with Moses as the starting goalie, the Waves have reached the NCAA Tournament on 13 occasions and recently won the inaugural WCC Regular Season Championship in 2023. Overall, the program has seen 60 athletes garner All-American honors while boasting a winning record in 36 of 50 seasons.

TICKETS
For more information and to purchase tickets to upcoming home events, visit here.

FOLLOW
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