MALIBU, Calif. — No. 13 Pepperdine water polo (12-10, 1-3 WCC) will host a pair of contests at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool this weekend, beginning with No. 15 UC Irvine (14-9, 2-2 Big West) Saturday at 1 p.m. before taking on Cal State Fullerton (16-12, 0-4 Big West) Sunday at 1 p.m.

Both games can be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available on the FOSH.

Saturday marks Alumni Day at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool, with an alumni game set for 3 p.m. following the conclusion of the contest. The first 100 fans will also receive a free rally towel for Saturday's game. Fans attending both games can purchase the Waves Weekend Pass here, with tickets for both games at a discounted price.

LAST TIME OUT

• The Waves wrapped up a 1-2 weekend in the Bay Area, taking part in the Julian Fraser Memorial Tournament.
• Pepperdine dropped contests to No. 8 San Jose State and No. 19 Harvard before taking down UC Merced on Saturday.
• The Waves matched a season-high with 25 goals in the win over the Bobcats.
• Cade Anderton notched a career-high six goals in the effort while Matty Walsh and Erik Ionescu each scored four times.

GAME NOTES

• Sandor Gal has led the Waves with 74 points this season through 31 goals and 43 assists.
• Erik Ionescu has recorded multiple goals in 10 of 12 games for the Waves.
• Ionescu reached the 70-point mark on the season following his back-to-back four goal efforts this past weekend.
• Matty Walsh has posted a team-high 46 goals on the season.
• Walsh has logged multiple goals in six straight efforts including 10 of 11 games.
• Jon Carcarey continues to be a steady force for the Waves, totaling 43 points with 21 steals on the season.
• Dane Howell is the lone Wave with 45 or more goals and 20 or more assists on the campaign.
• Howell has posted 26 points across his past seven games as he continues his strong season.
• Max Smirnov has collected 166 saves in the cage for the Waves to go along with a .438 save-percentage and 13.36 GAA.
• Cade Anderton has totaled 30 points on the season following his eight-point effort last time out.
• Brian Barnuevo has registered a point in seven straight games to bring his season total to 36.
• The Waves enter play with a 4-2 home record this season.
• Pepperdine is 4-2 this season against Big West opponents.

SERIES HISTORY

• The Waves have a 56-73-1 all-time record against UC Irvine.
• Pepperdine fell by twice to the Anteaters in 2024 and have dropped five of six in the series.
• The Waves have gone 21-0 against Cal State Fullerton in the all-time series.
• Pepperdine won three matchups with the Titans in 2024 by a combined mark of 51-24.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENT

• UC Irvine enters play ranked No. 15 in this week's CWPA poll as the Anteaters hold a 14-9 overall record.
• The Anteaters have defeated and been defeated by both LMU and California Baptist this season in previous WCC matchups.
• Johann Thrall has led the way for UCI this season with 50 goals and 68 points.
• Cal State Fullerton enters play with a 16-12 overall mark which includes an 0-4 conference record in the Big West.
• The game marks the second true road contest of the season for the Titans.
• The Titans are led by junior utility Ethan MacLeod, who has paced the team with 42 goals and 65 points this season.

The Waves will remain home next weekend to host No. 14 LMU for senior day Saturday, Nov. 8, with gametime set for noon on ESPN+.

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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