MALIBU, Calif. — No. 12 Pepperdine water polo (14-10, 1-3 WCC) will host No. 13 LMU (12-9, 3-2 WCC) on Saturday at noon for senior day from
Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.
The Waves will recognize its four seniors and two graduate students, honoring
Conor Brough,
Adam Csapo,
Zach Cwiertnia,
Sandor Gal,
Dane Howell and
Matty Walsh.
Senior day festivities are set for pregame and the first 100 fans in attendance will receive a free tank top.
Coverage begins at noon on
ESPN+. Live stats will be available on the
FOSH.
It marks the final home game of the season for the Waves and penultimate regular season game as Pepperdine looks to improve its seeding for the WCC Tournament ahead of its final two conference clashes.
LAST TIME OUT
- The Waves earned a 21-10 win over Cal State Fullerton at home on Sunday after topping No. 15 UC Irvine by a score of 12-10 on Friday.
- Dane Howell and Matty Walsh each scored four goals in the win over the Titans.
- Erik Ionescu and Jon Carcarey paced Pepperdine over the Anteaters with three goals each while Max Smirnov made 10 saves.
- Pepperdine secured its second three-game winning streak of the season.
GAME NOTES
- Sandor Gal leads the Waves with 79 points through 34 goals and 45 assists this season.
- Gal has recorded multiple points in 19 of 24 games this season.
- Matty Walsh has scored multiple goals in 12 of 13 games.
- Walsh leads the Waves with 52 goals this season.
- Max Smirnov has commanded the cage for the Waves this season with a .449 save-percentage and 13.00 GAA in 19 appearances.
- Erik Ionescu has registered 77 points on the season with 46 goals and 31 assists.
- Ionescu has scored multiple goals in five straight games.
- Dane Howell is one of three Waves with 73 points this season, having scored 49 goals with 24 assists.
- Jon Carcarey has scored 21 goals in his past 10 games while helping anchor the defense for Pepperdine.
- Jackson Benners, Owen Tift and Charles Warmington have each contributed over 20 assists this season.
- Brian Barnuevo has led the freshman class with 40 points while Csanád Bella has logged 19 goals.
- Bella scored a hat trick last time out against Fullerton.
SERIES HISTORY
- Pepperdine holds a 51-9 all-time record against the Lions.
- This includes a 27-3 mark in Malibu.
- The Waves defeated the Lions five times across the past two seasons, last falling in the series at home in 2022.
- Both West Coast Conference matchups in the series have been Pepperdine victories.
SCOUTING THE LIONS
- LMU enters play with a 12-9 overall record and 3-2 mark in WCC play.
- The Lions are riding a five-game winning streak and are currently ranked No. 13 in the CWPA poll.
- This past weekend, the Lions took down No. 12 California Baptist for a key conference victory.
- LMU is led by Tommaso Baldineti who has tallied 55 goals and 104 points this season.
The Waves will close out the regular season at No. 17 Santa Clara Friday at 1 p.m. 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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