Berkeley Men's Water Polo Defeats Pepperdine 22-11
The University of California Berkeley men's water polo team secured a dominant win at the Spieker Aquatics Center.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Other Sports
The University of California Berkeley men's water polo team defeated Pepperdine University 22-11. Berkeley established an early 5-0 lead within the first five minutes of the match.
Why it matters
The result highlights the significant offensive pressure Berkeley exerted during the contest. Despite the loss, Pepperdine managed to outshoot their opponents throughout the game.
Pepperdine finished the match with 32 shots compared to Berkeley's 22. Despite the higher shot volume, Pepperdine currently holds an 8-12 season record and a 2-2 conference record.
The players
Milo Joseph
He is a player for the Pepperdine University men's water polo team who scored five goals in the match against Berkeley.
Erik Ionescu
He is a member of the Pepperdine University men's water polo team who contributed four goals during the game.
Max Smirnov
He serves as the goalkeeper for the Pepperdine University men's water polo team and recorded 10 saves in this matchup.
The details
Berkeley built momentum by scoring three consecutive goals between the 3:48 mark and the end of the second period. Milo Joseph led Pepperdine with five goals, while Erik Ionescu added four and goalkeeper Max Smirnov recorded 10 saves.
Timeline
The match between Berkeley and Pepperdine occurred on October 23, 2026.
Pepperdine defeated Brown University 17-10 on October 24, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This match impacts Pepperdine's positioning within the West Coast Conference standings, where they currently hold a 2-2 record. The result forces the team to rely on their recent victory against Brown to maintain momentum for the remainder of the season.
Pepperdine's 8-12 season record leaves them with limited room for error as they continue conference play. The team's ability to outshoot Berkeley 32-22 suggests offensive potential despite the lopsided final score.
The takeaway
Maintaining offensive pressure is critical for Pepperdine to improve their current 8-12 standing. Effective shot conversion will be essential as the team looks to build on their subsequent win over Brown.
Further reading
For more on local collegiate athletics, visit the Other Sports section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Pepperdine Graphic.
