Freshman utility Csanád Bella readies a shot against the Pomona-Pitzer defense Aug. 30 in San Diego. Bella ended the Triton Invitational with three goals, including one against the Sagehens. Photos courtesy of Pepperdine Athletics
Pepperdine Men’s Water Polo traveled to the University of California, San Diego for the Triton Invitational on Aug. 30-31. The Waves entered this season ranked No. 7 in the nation, making it their first time being ranked in the preseason top ten since 2022, according to the Collegiate Water Polo Association.
The Waves won three of their four games, including wins against No. 20 Naval Academy, Pomona-Pitzer and UCSD. The Waves lost to the No. 14 University of California, Davis in their one defeat of the invitational.
The Waves started the invitational in a shootout against Navy, with both teams combining for three goals within the first three minutes of the first quarter. Pepperdine took over in the second quarter, scoring four straight goals in three minutes before Navy scored two before the half to bring the score to 6-5, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
The Waves dominated the third quarter with seven goals, including three from graduate attacker Dane Howell. Pepperdine would hold the lead and win the match 14-12 despite three straight goals from Navy to end the match, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
In the second match, Pomona-Pitzer took an early lead against Pepperdine. The Waves bounced back and took a commanding 7-4 lead at halftime against the Sagehens.
The Waves outscored Pomona-Pitzer 7-4 in the second half, with sophomore attacker Cade Anderton scoring two of the goals to win the match 14-8, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Senior attacker Sandor Gal attempts a goal against No. 20 Navy on Aug. 30 in San Diego. Gal led the Waves in scoring this tournament with 11 goals along with five assists.
The Waves struggled offensively in their third match against the Aggies, only scoring four goals in the first half compared to the Aggies’ eight. Despite two goals each from Howell and graduate center Matty Walsh in the first half, the Aggies held the lead for the rest of the match, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Pepperdine lost 13-10 to the Aggies, with Walsh scoring two more goals in the second half to lead the team with a total of four, followed by senior attacker Sandor Gal with two.
The Waves gained back their momentum in the fourth match against the Tritons. Both teams were aggressive on offense, with the Waves taking a 4-3 lead after the first quarter. The second quarter relied heavily on defense, as both teams combined for three goals to end the first half 6-4 in the Waves’ favor.
The Tritons scored three goals in the third quarter to bring the match to 8-7. The Waves held onto the lead for the rest of the match and scored two goals in the fourth quarter to win the match 10-9, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Pomona-Pitzer tries to break through the Waves’ defense Aug. 30 in San Diego. The Waves’ defense allowed one goal in the fourth quarter against the Sagehens.
Pepperdine ended the Triton Invitational with a 3-1 record, 48 total goals, 77 points and 40 steals. Gal led the team in scoring with 11 goals, followed by Howell with 10, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Gal also led the team in steals with seven, followed by junior utility Jon Carcarey and sophomore utility Owen Tift with six each.
Pepperdine had 38 saves in the invitational, led by sophomore goalie Max Smirnov with 21, followed by sophomore goalie Jaxon Leach with 17, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
The Waves’ next match is Sept. 7 against No. 2 University of Southern California at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool.
_________________________________
Follow the Graphic on X: @PeppGraphic
Contact Shane Stephens by email: shane.stephens@pepperdine.edu
