The Pepperdine men’s water polo team opened their season this weekend in Malibu with multiple exhibition games as well as a season opener against Claremont McKenna.
They started the day of play with an exhibition game against Golden West Junior College. Pepperdine demonstrated a strong defense and great team work as they scored five goals in the first quarter and did not allow the opposing team to score any. That first quarter set the pace of the game that ended in a 16 to 5 win for the Waves.
The biggest game for the Waves this weekend however was their season opening game against Claremont. Sophomores James Perry and Danny White scored a combined seven points to help lead the team to a 14-4 win.
Perry’s four goals scored by Perry established a new career high.
Claremont didn’t display quite as strong of an offensive ability capitalizing on only four on nine power plays most of which came early in the game. This was due in part to Pepperdine’s solid defensive performance.
Junior goalkeeper Bryce McLain had five stops in the first half putting the Waves up 7-2 at halftime.
The second half didn’t prove to be any easy for Claremont as they faced freshman goalkeeper Bence Valice who had an impressive debut with two steals and five saves. The game ended with with a final score of 14-4.
The Waves next game will be Saturday Sept. 11 against cross town rivals Loyola Marymount. For complete coverage of these as well as upcoming games look to the sports section of the printed Graphic this Thursday.