No. 13 Men's Water Polo Falls To No. 8 Pepperdine

Sunday, October 12

Malibu, Calif.

4:30 PM (1:30 PM PT)

Princeton University

#8 Pepperdine

Gavin Appeldorn

Photo by: Sideline Photos, LLC

October 12, 2025 | Men's Water Polo

MALIBU, Calif.- The fall break trip continued with a pitstop in Malibu for a rematch with the No. 8 Pepperdine Waves. Despite a late rally from the Tigers, the team's comeback effort fell short as Princeton was defeated 15-12.

#13 Princeton 12, #8 Pepperdine 15
Pepperdine went up 2-0 early in a defensive first quarter. Enrique Nuño opened the scoring for the Tigers on a penalty shot to set the score at 2-1 after eight minutes of play.

The Waves scored another pair before Luka Franulovic found the back of the cage. Princeton worked to chip away at the lead, but the Waves held a 7-4 lead at half.

The Tigers worked to execute a late rally in the fourth with three goals in the final four minutes, but the deficit was too much to overcome.

Gavin Appeldorn led the scoring with a hat trick, his third of the season, while Taylor Bell and Logan McCarroll each scored a pair. Pierre du Plessis had his first career double digit save outing with 11 on the day.

Goals: Appeldorn (3), Bell (2), McCarroll (2), Luke Johnston, Franulovic, Tigran Sennett, Ádám Peocz, Nuño
Saves: du Plessis (11)

Up Next
The Tigers will have the day off on Monday before continuing the trip with a contest against the No. 3 USC Trojans on Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 5:00 PM PT/8:00 PM ET