MALIBU, Calif — No. 12 Pepperdine water polo (3-2) fell 13-8 in the home opener against No. 2 USC (6-0) on Sunday afternoon from Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.

The Waves fell behind 6-0 in the first half as the deficit proved too big to overcome, eventually outscoring the Trojans 8-7 for the remainder of the game.

Dane Howell and Jon Carcarey each scored twice for the Waves, with Brian Barnuevo logging a team-high three points with a goal and two assists.

Max Smirnov made 10 saves in the cage for the Waves, adding a team-best three steals.

The Trojans got the scoring started early, netting goals on their first on their first three possessions which prompted a timeout from the Waves 2:14 into the contest. Bernardo Herzer was in form early for USC in the cage, stopping all four shots that he faced in the opening period. The Trojans eventually led 4-0 at the end of the first frame.

USC jumped out to a 6-0 advantage with a pair to begin the second, as Pepperdine then found its footing offensively with a goal from Matty Walsh followed by a five-meter tally from Howell to make it 6-2. Both sides dug in defensively with, with the lone goal in the final 3:29 coming from USC which put them ahead 7-2 at halftime.

Pepperdine found most of its success and half of its goals in the third period, with Carcarey netting a pair with Barnuevo scoring and assisting in the frame. Bronson Birdsall also netted his first of the campaign in his first appearance. The Waves had cut it back down to a 10-6 deficit, but two goals in the final 31 seconds of the period from the Trojans put them back ahead by six heading into the fourth.

USC preserved its lead throughout the final period, with neither team finding the back of the cage through the opening 4:47. Robert Lopez Duart added his game-high fourth for the Trojans, before late scores from Howell and Sandor Gal brought the final scoreline to 13-8.

The Waves outshot the Trojans 33-29 in total, as the Trojans executed well on the six-on-five throughout the game and assisted on 11 of their 13 goals.

Game Notes

• Jon Carcarey totaled two goals, two steals and four drawn exclusions in an all-around effort for the Waves.
• Brian Barnuevo recorded a team-high three points through a goal and two assists.
• Dane Howell scored a pair of goals to go along with a field block and two steals.
• Matty Walsh battled to draw eight exclusions for the Waves while scoring his seventh goal of the season.
• Bronson Birdsall tallied his first goal of the season in his first appearance.
• Max Smirnov made 10 saves in goal for the Waves while adding an assist and three steals.
• Pepperdine moves to 22-74-2 all-time against the Trojans.
• The Waves outshot the Trojans 33-29 for the game.
• Pepperdine scored three goals with the man advantage while the Trojans netted five.

Pepperdine will return to host a pair of games on Thursday, Sept. 11, beginning with a matchup against Whittier at noon before taking on No. 18 UC Santa Barbara at 5:00 p.m.

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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