LBSU reports

Taylor Clute and Alexsandr Petrovic each scored two goals but the No. 7 49ers (4-4) were unable finish off a furious rally against the No. 8 Pepperdine (4-6, 1-1) men’s water polo team in an 8-7 loss at the Raleigh-Runnels Pool, Saturday afternoon.

Clute scored a goal with 2:34 seconds left in the match to trim the Waves lead to one but the 49ers were unable to beat an outstanding effort from Waves goalie Tommy O’Connell who had 15 saves for the game including six in the final period.

The 49ers found themselves behind the whole game as the Waves jumped out on the board first with a goal from Taylor Watson who scored two goals for Pepperdine. Long Beach tied the score at two on a goal from Clute with 1:20 left in the first period. Watson scored his second goal with 19 seconds left in the first period to give the Waves a 3-2 lead going into the second period.

Jeff Greenwood tied the game at 3-3 with an early goal in the second period at 7:11. Brett Auer who scored a game high three goals responded with back-to-back goals at 6:50 and 2:49 to give the Waves a 5-3 halftime lead.

Long Beach State outscored the Waves 3-1 in the third period, behind goals from Petrovic, Kevin Mundia, and Carter Taylor, to tie the score at six going into the fourth quarter. 

Goalie Derek Wiebe-Bailey contributed six saves for the 49ers.

UP NEXT: The 49ers will travel to Irvine in hopes of winning the prestigious UCI Invitational Tournament hosted by UC Irvine. The Beach will take on the Naval Academy Saturday October 10 at the Corona Del Mar High School Pool.