Box Score LOS ANGELES – No. 12 Pepperdine water polo (5-3) fell by a score of 19-8 at No. 1 UCLA (10-0) on Saturday afternoon from Spieker Aquatics Center.
The Waves kept it close at 10-6 midway through the third period before the Bruins used an 8-0 spurt into the fourth period to pull away and remain undefeated on the season.
Cade Anderton and
Dane Howell led the Waves with two goals while
Max Smirnov made eight saves in the cage for the Waves.
"We did not play up to our standards and expectations today," said head coach
Merrill Moses. "We played a very talented team that is number one in the country with a lot of depth, but we have to have a better defensive presence in each and every game we play. We will watch the video and learn from our mistakes and bounce back from this loss."
The Waves fell behind early as the Bruins deposited goals on their first two possessions and eventually got out to a 4-0 advantage.
Cade Anderton netted the lone goal of the opening frame for the Waves who trailed 5-1 heading into the second.
Matty Walsh extended his goal streak to eight games to start the year to begin the quarter, a goal that was answered by three straight from the home side. Pepperdine would not go down quietly, scoring three straight of its own from
Dane Howell,
Adam Blum and Anderton.
Anderton's goal came with four seconds remaining in the half, and the Bruins were able to beat the buzzer and get one back and take a 9-5 lead into the break.
The sides traded goals to begin the second half as the Waves remained within striking distance as Howell converted from the five-meter.
However, the Waves would be shut out for the next 12:10 of game time as the Bruins extended the lead to 18-6 into the final minute of play.
Alex Piccin and
Jon Carcarey added late scores for Pepperdine, bringing the final score to 19-8.
Game Notes
- Dane Howell and Cade Anderton each recorded two goals to lead the Waves.
- Matty Walsh scored a goal and drew an exclusion at center.
- Jon Carcarey had an all-around effort with a goal, assist, field block and steal.
- Adam Blum and Alex Piccin each registered a goal in the effort.
- The Bruins outshot the Waves 30-23 for the game.
- Pepperdine collected five steals on the afternoon while UCLA logged 15 steals.
The Waves will return to UCLA for the MPSF Invite from Sept. 19-21. A schedule for the event will be announced in the coming days.
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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