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Pepperdine University Athletics

Howell
Mia Pleasant
10
Cal State Fullerton CSF (16-12, 0-4 Big West)
21
Winner Pepperdine PEP (13-10, 1-3 WCC)
Cal State Fullerton CSF
(16-12, 0-4 Big West)
10
Final
21
Pepperdine PEP
(13-10, 1-3 WCC)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Cal State Fullerton CSF 2 5 2 1 10
Pepperdine PEP 4 7 6 4 21

Game Recap: Men's Water Polo |

No. 13 Water Polo Rolls in 21-10 Win Over Cal State Fullerton

MALIBU, Calif. — No. 13 Pepperdine water polo (14-10, 1-3 WCC) collected a 21-10 victory over Cal State Fullerton (16-13, 0-4 Big West) on Sunday afternoon from Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.

Matty Walsh and Dane Howell led Pepperdine with four goals each as seven Waves finished with multiple goals in the game. Csanád Bella added his second career hat trick, while Max Smirnov made 13 saves in goal while allowing nine goals.

The Waves led wire-to-wire, pouring four or more goals in each period while holding the Titans to just three goals in the second half.

"The team played well today and as I stated yesterday, we've been focusing on defense all week and it has showed with two games back to back only allowing 10 goals to the other team," said head coach Merrill Moses. "We will continue to focus on defense and prepare for our conference championship tournament. We have two very tough regular season conference games ahead, and we are excited to play our last home game of the season next week versus LMU on Saturday. We hope to see a ton of fans in the stands cheering on the team."

Pepperdine got out to an early start with three five-meter penalty goals in the opening five minutes of the game, as the Waves continued to get into promising positions and drew fouls. Walsh had the lone natural goal of the frame as the Waves led 4-2 after one period of play.

The Waves continued to open up its lead with two power play goals to begin the second as Howell and Walsh continued their scoring prowess. The Titans made a run with five goals in the frame but Pepperdine had an answer every time. Howell and Erik Ionescu put away two more five-meter penalties while Charles Wamington and Bella also got on the scoresheet. A late Titans goal made it 11-7 at halftime in favor of the Waves.

The Pepperdine defense and goalkeeping took over in the second half, as Smirnov saved a five-meter penalty and the Waves allowed two goals in the final 14:23 of game time. Owen Tift notched a goal to begin the half with Walsh and Alex Piccin each scoring two in the third frame, giving Pepperdine a commanding 17-9 lead heading into the final eight minutes.

With the victory in hand, the Waves continued to convert on the power play with Bella and Brian Barnuvo netting extra man goals in the fourth. The tallies were part of an eventual 9-1 run for the Waves which made the score 21-9. Cal State Fullerton deposited the final goal of the game, bringing the final score to 21-10 as the Waves wrapped up a 2-0 weekend at home.

Game Notes
  • Max Smirnov made 13 stops in the cage while allowing nine goals.
  • Zach Cwiertnia added a steal and assist after coming on in relief of Smirnov.
  • Dane Howell notched four goals on the day while drawing three exclusions.
  • Howell has four efforts this season with four or more goals.
  • Matty Walsh continued his rampant scoring stretch with four goals on the day.
  • Csanád Bella netted a hat trick to go along with two field blocks.
  • Sandor Gal contributed an all-around effort with two points and two steals with a field block.
  • Alex Piccin and Erik Ionescu recorded two goals and an assist.
  • Charles Warmington added a pair of goals and a steal.
  • Brian Barnuevo posted two goals with an assist and steal.
  • Cameron Bench logged a pair of assists in the fourth period.
  • Owen Tift scored his 20th goal of the season.
  • Cade Anderton, Adam Blum and Jackson Benners added an assist.
  • The Waves move to 6-2 at home this season.
  • Pepperdine has won three straight games for the second time this season.
  • It marks the fourth 20-plus goal effort of the season for the Waves.
  • The Waves finish non-conference play with a 13-7 record.
The Waves will return home on Saturday (Nov. 8) for Senior Day from Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool, hosting LMU at noon.

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.

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