Water polo opened the season at the UCLA invitational, competing in two games against Claremont Mudd-Scripps and La Verne on Saturday. The team also faced UCLA and UC Santa Barbara in two exhibition matches on the same day and played in two exhibition matches on Sunday against UC Santa Barbara.
The Waves defeated Claremont Mudd-Scripps 14-8. Freshman Christian Bridley made his collegiate debut and scored two goals in the first match, while junior Luke Hewko scored five times, and senior Danny White added another two goals for the Waves.
Game two on Saturday was another victory for the Waves as they defeated La Verne 26-4. Hewko again led the team in goals, scoring another five, while Bridley added an additional four. White, senior Nick Cooper, freshman Brock Liebhardt, junior Marko Madaras, freshman Austin Talleur and sophomore Josh Tice scored two goals each in the match.
“We are starting to come together, but we are still getting used to a new coach and the addition of a bunch of new, younger players,” said Cooper.
He added that the recent cut of players from the team has not changed the dynamics of the team, “but it’s sad to see some friends get cut.”
The Waves, with a perfect 2-0 record, had a successful opening weekend and will face Loyola Marymount away this Sunday at 12 p.m.
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As published in the Sept. 12 issue of the Pepperdine Graphic.
