Pepperdine Graphic

Photo Gallery: Water Polo Loses to No. 2 USC in Home Opener

by

Pepperdine Men’s Water Polo hosted the University of Southern California on Sept. 7 at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. The Waves dropped their home opener in a 13-8 final score. Photos by Olivia Schneider

The Pepperdine Men’s Water Polo team hosted the University of Southern California Trojans for their 2025 home opener at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool on Sept. 7. Coming into the match, the Waves were ranked No. 12, and the Trojans were No. 2.

The Waves dropped the match in a 13-8 final score, according to Pepperdine Athletics. Despite the loss, many Waves put up some good numbers in the water.

Sophomore goalie Max Smirnov fought in the cage, racking up 10 saves and a team-best three steals, according to Pepperdine Athletics. Junior utility Jon Carcarey and graduate attacker Dane Howell were the top scorers for the home team, putting away two goals apiece for the Waves.

Pepperdine is sitting with a 5-3 record and will play again at the MPSF Invitational Sept. 19-21.

Sophomore Max Smirnov makes a save against the University of Southern California on Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Smirnov made ten saves in goal throughout the game.
Graduate attacker Dane Howell passes the ball against the University of Southern California on Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Howell scored two goals in the game.
Redshirt junior utility Reed Pantaleon goes for a shot against the University of Southern California on Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. The Waves outshot the Trojans 33-29, according to Pepperdine Athletics.
Senior attacker Sandor Gal defends against a USC Trojan on Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Gal is serving as one of Pepperdine’s captains this year.
Graduate attacker Dane Howell threatens USC’s goal Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Howell had a field block and two steals to go with his two goals.
Pepperdine Men’s Water Polo defends against the USC Trojans on Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. The Waves sit at a 5-3 record including this loss against the Trojans.
Freshman attacker Brian Barnuevo defends against the USC Trojans on Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Barneuvo scored a goal and had two assists throughout the game.
Senior attacker Sandor Gal holds the ball against the USC Trojans on Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Gal had six shots against the visiting Trojans.

Junior utility Jon Carcarey looks around the pool in the Sept. 7 matchup versus the USC Trojans in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Carcarey scored two goals for the Waves in this game.
Freshman attacker Brian Barnuevo faces off against a USC Trojan on Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Head Coach Merrill Moses said his team is deep this year with a handful of freshmen, such as Barnuevo, making an immediate impact.
Senior attacker Sandor Gal goes for a shot against the USC Trojans on Sept. 7 in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool. Gal scored a goal in this game against the visiting Trojans.
Sophomore attacker Erik Ionescu looks for an open teammate in Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool on Sept. 7 against USC. Ionescu logged four shots and one assist against the Trojans.

_________________________________

Follow the Graphic on X: @PeppGraphic

Contact Nina Fife via X: (@ninafife_) or by email: nina.fife@pepperdine.edu