SHUHEI MATSUO
Assistant Sports Editor
After losing its first two Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) games at home, the Pepperdine water polo team traveled to Northern California and played against higher-ranked teams in Cal Berkeley and University of Pacific. Despite Saturday’s 17-12 loss to No.-2 Berkeley, the No.-10 Waves bounced back Sunday to capture their first MPSF victory of the season when they defeated No-8 Pacific 9-8 in overtime.
Going 1-1 over the weekend, Pepperdine is 11-14 overall and 1-3 in the MPSF Conference.
Although California beat Pepperdine by five goals at the end of Saturday’s game, the Golden Bears nearly suffered in the pool during the first quarter when Pepperdine tied it up, 3-3, in the opening period. However, the Bears dominated the second period, outscoring the Waves, 5-0, to take an 8-3 halftime lead.
Berkeley kept dominating the match in the third quarter, taking a 13-5 lead before the final quarter. Although Pepperdine ended up outscoring Berkeley 7-4 in the fourth period, its waves were too small to drown the big Golden Bears.
Pepperdine traveled to Stockton and played against Pacific on Sunday. The Waves began the game solidly as senior Doug Mann scored three times including the game-winning shot in overtime. Pepperdine’s goal leader, freshman JP MacDonell, added two goals, while four others scored once to pick up the team’s first MPSF win as it defeated the Tigers 9-8 in overtime.
With this victory, Pepperdine’s record against upper-ranked Pacific became 2-0 for the season.
Even though the Tigers may be one of the Waves’ favorite teams to play against this year, Sunday’s victory did not come easy.
“They definitely had the home-pool advantage on us, but we fought through and came out with an important win that we needed,” said freshman Sam Busby, sounding somewhat tired after traveling the long distance over the weekend.
Asked how important Sunday’s win was, Busby said it helps the team significantly, but it is too early to relax.
For the upcoming two weeks, four MPFS matches — Loyola Marymount, Long Beach State, UCLA and University of Southern California — are waiting for Pepperdine.
The Waves will first take cross-town rival LMU in Malibu today at 2 p.m. On Sunday, they will head to Long Beach State for a noon conference tilt.
11-02-2006
