Repeat champions
The Malibu High School boys varsity water polo team won the Shark Tournament this month for the second year in a row. Playing in their home pool, the Sharks defeated teams from Notre Dame, Alemany and Pacifica to meet rival Agoura in the final round. The Sharks outscored Agoura, 8-6, to win the tournament.
The Sharks were led by 2-meter defender and driver senior Sean O’Neill, who scored 13 goals and had 10 steals in the tournament. Other high scorers included Alex Donner, Joseph Sloggy, and freshmen Maxx Bricklin and Sean Merrick. Outstanding defenders included Reed Farrer and Carter Baldwin, with eight steals each. Strong defense was also delivered by Billy Laubender, Peter Shulam, Willy Forsyth and John Cook. Goalie Damian Minicucci made 24 saves to help secure the tournament title.
Pepperdine’s volleyball player named WWC co-Player of the Week
Sophia Milo, a junior middle blocker on Pepperdine University’s women’s volleyball team, was named co-Player of the Week on Monday along with Santa Clara’s Cassie Perrett.
This was the first time this season that Milo has earned the Player of the Week honor and the second time for the Waves. Freshman Julie Rubenstein received the acknowledgment on Sept. 26. Last week’s win against Loyola Marymount marked the third time in five league games that Milo has hit .600 or better, boosting her qualifications as a potential West Coast Conference Player of the Year.
Pepperdine women’s soccer ties top-ranked team
The No. 10 Pepperdine University women’s soccer team tied the No. 1 Portland Pilots, 1-1, at Tari Frahm Rokus Field on Sunday. The draw ended the Pilots’ 14-game winning streak and moved the Waves record to 1-1-1 in the West Coast Conference and 10-2-2 on the season.
Pepperdine junior forward Lindsey Redlin scored the first goal of the game at the 30:44 mark after Portland’s goalkeeper fumbled the ball leaving an opening in the net. The Waves played defensively and held onto their 1-0 lead going into the second half, but the Pilots came out strong after halftime and tied the score at the 52:12 mark.
Pepperdine will take on San Francisco in its first of three away games on Friday at 5 p.m.
Waves’ water polo places fifth in tournament
The Pepperdine University men’s water polo team finished fifth in the NorCal Tournament on Sunday in Berkeley after defeating Long Beach State, 11-8, and UC San Diego, 12-7.
Pepperdine (13-5, 1-1 MPSF) sophomore Matt Digges scored four goals in the team’s first game of the day, while Grant Miller and Adam Hewko each scored twice, heading the Waves’ victory against Long Beach State.
Pepperdine’s All-American Jesse Smith was the leading scorer against UC San Diego with six goals.
Pepperdine will host UCSD at the Raleigh Runnels Memorial Pool on Thursday at 2 p.m.