It was a hot day at the Raleigh-Runnels Memorial Pool Oct. 31. Fans in the Pepperdine colors of orange and blue and even some in costumes packed in the bleachers right next to UCLA fans. With too little space in the stands some even lounged along the walls of the pool and up onto the lawn.
But Pepperdine’s men’s water polo team No. 5 didn’t give the fans what they were looking for battling No. 4 UCLA in a game that ended in a 9-6 victory for the Bruins.
“It was a great turnout of students and we certainly felt the support said senior center Clayton Snyder. One unfortunate thing about the seating is that there is no designated student section and that does cut back on potential intensity.”
In the first period UCLA jumped out with an early 4-1 lead with the first goal off a 6-on-5 opportunity. Another power play opportunity opened up the chance for the Bruins to take a shot for their third goal of the period. A five-meter penalty shot was given to UCLA for their fourth goal in the first period. With only one second remaining senior attacker JP MacDonnell scored the first goal for the Waves.
“I’ve seen— and been a part of— teams that have come back from a much larger deficit and much less time Snyder said. Unfortunately despite beating UCLA 6-5 in the last three periods the 4-1 deficit after the first was just too much this time.”
The second period opened with a penalty shot by MacDonnell to have the scoreboard read 4-2. Soon after a 6-on-5 opportunity allowed senior attacker Taylor Watson to close the deficit to one at the half.
The Waves were given several power play opportunities that just couldn’t be completed with a goal.
“We just need to see the cage a little better and keep our momentum going forward on our shots Snyder said.
The Bruins got back-to-back goals early in the third period to give them a three-point lead, 6-3. Senior utility Brett Auer scored Pepperdine’s only goal of the period with only 2:30 left on the clock. The Waves trailed 6-4 at the start of the fourth and final period.
Even though UCLA got back-to-back goals again in the fourth period, the Waves kept fighting back. Watson scored a goal for Pepperdine on a man-up opportunity with only 4:15 remaining in the game. However, the Bruins answered with a goal of their own on a 6-on-5 opportunity.
Snyder scored the final goal of the game, but the gap between the scores wasn’t closed when the referee blew the whistle and the scoreboard read a 9-6 victory for UCLA.
We let the beginning of the first third and fourth quarters get away from us forcing our team to come from behind Watson said. Consistency throughout an entire game is what we are looking for in the remaining games.”
With solid practices full of concentration and execution this week the Waves should be able to come through with a home game victory for Pepperdine.
“The Pacific and Concordia games are must-wins for us as they effect our seeding in the MPSF Tournament Watson said.
Another home game against Pacific is up next for Pepperdine’s men’s water polo team Nov. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Raleigh-Runnels Memorial Pool.
