April 30, 2005

Davis, CA (April 30) - For the fifth time in as many seasons the Loyola Marymount University women's water polo team advanced to the Western Water Polo Association tournament championship game thanks to a 9-3 win over Santa Clara in the second semifinal on Saturday afternoon. The sixth-ranked Lions will be looking for their fifth straight WWPA title when they battle 14th-ranked UC Davis at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The Lions improve to 27-6 on the season and 14-0 against WWPA opponents on the year. They will take on the Aggies for the third time this season and for the second time in program history for the WWPA title. They met in the title game of the Lion's first title in 2001. The Aggies advanced to the championship game thanks to a thrilling 7-6 sudden-death victory over No. 3 seed UC San Diego in the first semifinal.

Like they did in the 19-5 first round win over Chapman on Friday, the Lions came out of the gates quickly. LMU posted the games first seven goals through the start of the third period for a 7-0 lead. LMU coasted the rest of the way for the six-goal win. Sophomore goalie Rachel Riddell made four saves in the fourth quarter and 11 for the game to move the Lions to the title game.

Freshman Christine Robinson scored two of her four goals in the first period to help LMU go up 4-0 after one period. Sophomore Katie Hicks and Robinson added two goals in the second for the 6-0 lead at the break. Senior Jessica Conner capped the Lions 7-0 run with a goal at the 5:26 mark of the third frame.

After Santa Clara scored three unanswered in the third period, LMU clamped down on defense and the Lions scored a pair of goals from Robinson and sophomore Sarah Hamilton for the final margin.

- GO LIONS -