From LBSU reports

Senior Ash Blythen scored his second hat trick of the season Thursday night to tie the game in the fourth period, but Long Beach State wasn’t able to overcome No. 6 Pepperdine in a game that went down to the wire.

The 49ers (11-13, 0-4) took an early 3-1 lead over the Waves (15-5, 3-1), but Pepperdine was able to build momentum in the second period to tie the game at 3 goals apiece heading into halftime. When Long Beach St. was unable to convert after Pepperdine’s goalie was ejected, the Waves went on a 3-1 run with 3:22 left in the third period. Aleksander Petrovic tied the game yet again for LBSU, but with one more Pepperdine goal, the 49ers trailed by one at the end of three.

The fourth period was a battle for both squads, with numerous shots blocked and turnovers. Long Beach State was able to take advantage of a 6-on-5 opportunity two minutes into the quarter to force the fourth tie of the game. Both LBSU and Pepperdine held tough for the next four minutes, but it was Pepperdine’s J.P. MacDonell who scored the eventual game winner for the Waves, taking an 8-7 victory in the hard fought MPSF match.

The 49ers have the rest of the weekend off, and will travel next weekend to play UC Santa Barbara.