PALO ALTO, Calif. — No. 11 Pepperdine water polo (8-6) fell by a score of 19-14 at No. 4 Stanford (8-2) on Sunday afternoon from Avery Aquatics Complex.

Erik Ionescu led the Waves with three goals and three assists, as Matty Walsh added a hat trick offensively.

Sandor Gal added five assists to go along with a goal while Jon Carcarey deposited two goals. Max Smirnov made 15 saves in a busy game for the sophomore in the cage.

"Stanford is a very physical team and their physicality led to some easy counter attack goals for them," said head coach Merrill Moses. "Scoring 14 goals on the offensive end is a positive sign for our team, but we cannot give up 19 goals if we want to win in any game. This weekend was a tough weekend, but our team showed lots of improvement and we will continue to get stronger every week and learn from our mistakes."

The first half saw a slower pace with a defensive battle from the jump. Stanford led 3-1 after the opening period, as Brian Barnuevo logged the lone goal for the Waves on a six-on-five.

The Cardinal built the lead up to 5-1 in the second period, before a tally from Ionescu with 4:37 remaining cut it back down to a three-goal contest. The two sides then traded goals to end the half, with Dane Howell converting a five-meter penalty to bring the score to 6-3 at the break.

Stanford pushed the lead to 9-3 with three quick goals out of the break, scoring seven times total in the third period. The Waves were able to stay within striking distance with Walsh, Ionescu and Carcarey scoring goals as the score was 11-6 with 2:18 left in the third. However, a pair of six-on-five goals for the Cardinal brought the score to 13-6 heading into the final period.

Pepperdine found its way offensively in the final eight minutes, scoring eight times in the period after finding the back of the cage six times through three periods. Reed Pantaleon and Csanád Bella got on the scoresheet while Ionescu and Walsh secured their hat tricks. Stanford was able to maintain its multi-goal lead throughout, adding six goals in the frame to secure the 19-14 victory.

Game Notes

• Erik Ionescu led the Waves with three goals and three assists while drawing two exclusions.
• Matty Walsh continued his scoring run with three goals, bringing his total to 27 for the season.
• Sandor Gal registered five assists to go along with a goal.
• It marked the fifth game this season in which Gal has recorded at least three assists.
• Jon Carcarey scored a pair of second half goals.
• Charles Warmington added three assists off the bench.
• Reed Pantaleon, Brian Barneuvo and Csanàd Bella registered goals for the Waves.
• The Waves were 5-for-11 on power play opportunities.
• Due to a procedural error, the final 3:54 on the third period was replayed after the error was discovered between the third and fourth periods.

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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