Just Briefly
The Loyola Marymount men's water polo team looks to extend its current three-game winning streak during a busy week of action. On Wednesday, Oct. 11 the Lions defeated 16th-ranked La Verne 8-6 and then upset No. 11 Massachusetts 9-6 last Saturday, with both games being played at the Burns Recreaton Center Pool. LMU jumped two spots in the current United States Water Polo Coaches' poll to No. 10, the highest national ranking in program history. Senior
Aaron Eisberg and sophomore
Kevin Witt have provided a potent one-two scoring punch for the Lions, leading the team with 35 and 33 goals, respectively.
Up Next
LMU closes its current five-game homestand with a showdown against Whittier College on Thursday, Oct. 19 at 5:00 p.m. Loyola Marymount then travels to Stockon, Calif., for the prestigious Northern California Tournament where the Lions will open against fifth-ranked Stanford on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 11:30 a.m.
Game Recaps
(Oct. 11) - After La Verne built a 2-1 lead with 3:00 remaning the first quarter, the Lions went on a 5-0 scoring run in which they shut the Leopards out in the second quarter. That lead would prove to be invaluable as ULV mounted a late charge, scoring the game's final three goals. However LMU sophomore goalie Kevin Paulsen made two fourth-quarter saves to help preserve the 8-6 victory. (Oct. 14) - Against No. 11 Massachusetts it was the Lions who were the second-half aggressors, outscoring the Minutemen 6-3 over the final 14 minutes after going into the locker rooms tied at three. All of sophomore Kevin Witt's team-leading three goals came in the second stanza.
Home Pool Advantage
The Lions have evidently taken a liking to the new Burns Recreation Center Pool, judging by their 7-2 record at home this season. LMU did not enjoy a home pool advantage in 1999, playing all but four of their matches on the road while awaiting completion of the their new facility.
Lions Etching Their Names in Record Books
Seniors John Peterson and Aaron Eisberg are assuring themselves of their righful place in Loyola Marymount men's water polo history by positioning themselves on the Lions' career top-10 scoring list. Peterson ranks sixth all-time at LMU with 130 points. Right behind him in seventh place is Eisberg with 113 career points, including a team-leading 35 goals this season. Meanwhile junior Kyle Witt (105 points) is just two scores away from moving onto the top-10 scoring list. In adition, Peterson, Eisberg and Witt all rank among the top-four all time at Loyola Marymount in assists.
Jack of All Trades
As the name of his position would imply, sophomore utility specialist Ryan Chapatte does a little of everything for the LMU. The Soquel, Calif., native ranks among the Lions' top-four in three important statistical categories, including goals (16), steals (23) and assists (12). In addition, Chapatte is one of the team's fastest players, winning a majority of his sprints at the start of each quarter.
LMU Head Coach
John Loughran enters his fourth season as head coach of the aquatics programs at LMU, which encompasses both men's and women's water polo as well as women's swimming. A 1990 graduate of Loyola Chicago, Loughran guided the men's water polo team to a school-best 22-9 record last year in addition to the program's highest finish (third) in the Western Water Polo Association Championships. Loughran's record at LMU stands at 57-45, while his career mark reads 132-108.
Poet Points of Interest
Whittier heads into Thursday's showdown with the Lions coming off a 2-2 showing at the Triton Invitational in San Diego last weekend. Senior Sergio Macias leads the Poets (7-10) with 44 goals. LMU defeated Whittier 10-5 on Oct. 30, 1999 in the only meeting between the schools last season.
About the NorCal Tournament
Loyola Marymount was placed in Group "C" of the Northern California Tournament with second-ranked UC Irvine, No. 5 Stanford and UC Davis. The Lions will open tourney play on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at Tokay High School in Lodi, Calif., against the Cardinal, who stand at 6-6 on the season. The nation's top 11 teams will all be competing in Stockton. At the 1999 NorCal, LMU went 2-2 including an upset win over UC Santa Barbara.
