Game Recap: Men's Water Polo | | By Athletic Communications
Waves Stifled by Tigers Defense
MALIBU, Calif. – The #7 Pepperdine men's water polo team dropped the midweek matchup 12-11 to #11 Princeton at Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool on Tuesday afternoon.
The Tigers (15-6) defense stifled the Waves (14-5) as they collected 14 steals and held Pepperdine to a season-low 24 shots.
BIG WAVES
After Csapo knotted the game 1-1, Princeton scored back-to-back goals to go up by two. Joseph then found the back of the net on the Waves' last possession of the quarter to make it a 3-2 game in favor of the Tigers.
The two teams traded goals to open the second period, but the Tigers were able to score the games' next three goals to take a 7-3 lead halfway through the quarter. The Waves closed the half with a run of their own as Jon Carcarey (Santa Maria, Calif.), Joseph and Ionescu all found the back of the cage. However, Princeton held a three-goal advantage at the break, 9-6.
The Tigers opened the second half with timely shots and strong defense as they increased their lead to five. Trying to battle back, Ionescu and Csapo scored two straight goals for the Waves, but Princeton would score the last goal of the period and take a four-goal advantage into the final eight minutes, 12-8.
Joseph earned his hat-trick on the opening possession of the fourth quarter, but the Tigers defense continued to provide problems for the Waves as both teams remained scoreless through the next six and half minutes of play. Pepperdine scored two late goals, but Princeton would earn the victory on Tuesday afternoon, 12-11.
PRIN 3-6-3-0 — 12
PEPP 2-4-2-3 — 11
Pepperdine goals: Erik Ionescu 3, Milo Joseph 3, Adam Csapo 2, Jon Carcarey 1, Sandor Gal 1, Christian Hosea 1.
UP NEXT
Looking to defend their 2023 regular season crown, the Waves will begin West Coast Conference play with a road matchup against Air Force at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, Oct. 20. Along with all WCC contests, the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
FOLLOW
Follow @PeppWaterPolo on X for updates and check out PepperdineWaves.com and Facebook (/PeppWaterPolo) for releases and more information. Find the Waves on Instagram @peppwaterpolo.
The Tigers (15-6) defense stifled the Waves (14-5) as they collected 14 steals and held Pepperdine to a season-low 24 shots.
BIG WAVES
- Junior attacker Adam Csapo (Budapest, Hungary) had two goals and two assists against the Tigers.
- Junior attacker Sandor Gal (Budapest, Hungary) tallied a game-high four assists to go along with one goal.
- Freshman attacker Erik Ionescu (Budapest, Hungary) had a hat-trick on the day.
- Junior utility Milo Joseph (Malibu, Calif.) collected three goals today.
After Csapo knotted the game 1-1, Princeton scored back-to-back goals to go up by two. Joseph then found the back of the net on the Waves' last possession of the quarter to make it a 3-2 game in favor of the Tigers.
The two teams traded goals to open the second period, but the Tigers were able to score the games' next three goals to take a 7-3 lead halfway through the quarter. The Waves closed the half with a run of their own as Jon Carcarey (Santa Maria, Calif.), Joseph and Ionescu all found the back of the cage. However, Princeton held a three-goal advantage at the break, 9-6.
The Tigers opened the second half with timely shots and strong defense as they increased their lead to five. Trying to battle back, Ionescu and Csapo scored two straight goals for the Waves, but Princeton would score the last goal of the period and take a four-goal advantage into the final eight minutes, 12-8.
Joseph earned his hat-trick on the opening possession of the fourth quarter, but the Tigers defense continued to provide problems for the Waves as both teams remained scoreless through the next six and half minutes of play. Pepperdine scored two late goals, but Princeton would earn the victory on Tuesday afternoon, 12-11.
PRIN 3-6-3-0 — 12
PEPP 2-4-2-3 — 11
Pepperdine goals: Erik Ionescu 3, Milo Joseph 3, Adam Csapo 2, Jon Carcarey 1, Sandor Gal 1, Christian Hosea 1.
UP NEXT
Looking to defend their 2023 regular season crown, the Waves will begin West Coast Conference play with a road matchup against Air Force at 11 a.m. PT on Sunday, Oct. 20. Along with all WCC contests, the game will be streamed on ESPN+.
FOLLOW
Follow @PeppWaterPolo on X for updates and check out PepperdineWaves.com and Facebook (/PeppWaterPolo) for releases and more information. Find the Waves on Instagram @peppwaterpolo.
