Dec. 10, 2008

Los Angeles, CA -- The Loyola Marymount University men's water polo team finished the 2008 season with some head-turning accomplishments, including a No. 5 ranking in the final National Coaches Poll of the season. It is the highest final ranking in program history as they went 21-10 on the year, equaling the second-most wins in program history.

The Lions finished the National Collegiate Men's Water Polo Championship in third place thanks to a convincing 11-4 win over Navy. With the third place and a dominating but heartbreaking set-back to Stanford in the semifinals, the Lions earned some high praise. Senior Tim Hummel and sophomore Andy Stevens were named to the first-team All-Tournament team.

Also earning second-team All-Tournament honors for LMU was Tibor Forai and Tim Heafner.

Stevens established himself as one of the best goalies in the nation, making 28 saves in the two NCAA tournament games. Stevens allowed just five goals a game at the tournament, the lowest among all goalies. As for Hummel, the senior leader did a little of everything, drawing 10 ejections in the two games with three goals.

The WWPA Player of the Year Stevens finishes the season ranked third in the nation in saves with 308, helping the Lions to rank sixth nationally in team defense. LMU allowed just 7.23 goals per game thanks in part to Stevens 10.62 saves per game average.

On the offensive side sophomore Tibor Forai finished 35th with 54 s (2.0 per game).

The All-American honors will be awarded at the first of the year while academic honors will be later in February.

2008 NCAA All-tournament Team
First Team
J.W. Krumpholz (USC) - MVP
Andy Stevens (LMU) - Goalie
Shea Buckner (USC)
Tim Hummel (LMU)
Matt Sagehorn (USC)
Drac Wigo (STAN)
Sage Wright (STAN)

Second Team
Jimmie Sandman (STAN) - Goalie
Tibor Forai (LMU)
Tim Heafner (LMU)
Will Hindle-Katel (STAN)
Peter Kurzeka (USC)
Arjan Ligtenberg (USC)
Mike Mulvey (NAVY)
Jovan Vranes (USC)
Janson Wigo (STAN)