Oct. 23, 2010
LA JOLLA, Calif. -- After seeing their 37-game conference winning streak come to an end to start the month of October against rival UC San Diego, the ninth-ranked LMU men's water polo team bounced back in the rematch in front of more than 2,000 fans at Canyonview Aquatic Center in La Jolla, Calif., Saturday afternoon, defeating the Tritons 7-4 in Western Water Polo Association action.
The Lions have won 13 of the last 14 matches against UC San Diego, including two in 2010, both coming at UC San Diego. The Lions defeated UCSD 7-3 on Sept. 4 before falling on Oct. 3, 7-6, at the NorCal Open.
With the win, LMU improves to 10-1 in WWPA on the season and 12-7 overall. They have won four straight since Oct. 3. UCSD falls to 109 overall and 6-4 in the WWPA.
Junior Edgaras Asajavicius scored three goals to pace the Lions' offense, while senior goalie Andy Stevens had one of his better games on the season with 13 saves, including a fourth-quarter shutout that helped the Lions to put the game away.
It was just another heated rivalry game that has become the norm for the UCSD-LMU match-up.
The Lions scored the game's first two goals, both by Asajavicius, and led 3-1 after Albert Samuels scored with 5:18 left in the second quarter.
However, UCSD fought back, and scored with no time left in the first half to cut the lead to 4-3 heading into the lockerroom.
UCSD would score on a 6-on-5 goal with 6:20 on the clock in the third quarter to tie the game at 4-4.
Stevens and the Lions' defense would then shut the Tritons down the final 14 minutes of the game.
Asajavicius would give the Lions the lead for good, 5-4, with 4:24 to play in the third. Charlie Horton and Daniel Smith would then add fourth quarter goals to put the game away.
LMU will play in their final home game of the season on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 3 p.m.
Box Score
| Team | Record | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | - | Final |
| #9 LMU | 12-7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | - | 7 |
| #10 UC San Diego | 10-9 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | - | 4 |
Scoring: LMU - Edgaras Asajavicius 3, Daniel Smith, Brian Flacks, Albert Samuels. UCSD - Brian Donohoe 2, John Butler, Josh Stilling.
Saves: LMU - Andy Stevens 13. UCSD - David Morton 9.
- GO LIONS -
