SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- The Harvard University men's water polo team concluded its annual trip to California and slate of five consecutive games against ranked opponents with a pair of losses as the Crimson fell to No. 5 Pepperdine University, 20-2, and No. 15 Santa Clara University, 13-4.

Pepperdine started the opener with seven consecutive goals prior to Harvard getting on the board. Freshman Evan Ramsey and William Roller tallied back-to-back scores before the Waves added its eighth goal just before halftime. Pepperdine blanked the Crimson 12-0 in the second half.

It was the fifth time in the last six games that Ramsey netted a goal.

A slow start doomed the Crimson against the host Broncos. John Holland-McCowan scored in the first and Max Murphy added a goal in the second but Harvard faced a 13-2 deficit entering the fourth quarter.

Evan Zepfel scored in the fourth and Murphy culminated the scoring as the Crimson outscored Santa Clara 2-1 in the final frame.

Release courtesy Harvard Athletic Communications