Feb. 6, 2010

LA JOLLA, Calif. - The 2010 collegiate women's water polo season and the head coaching tenure of Kyle Witt began with a bang for 10th-ranked LMU, as they tallied 34 goals in a pair of wins in the first day of the UC San Diego Triton Invitational. The Lions defeated Sonoma State, 18-3, and then defeated 15th-ranked UC Davis, 16-8, to advance to semifinals on Sunday.

The Lions, winners of the 2009 Western Water Polo Association, opened a season for the first time in four years without the program's all-time leading scorer in Nicole Hughes. It didn't seem to bother them as they jumped out to 13-0 lead on Sonoma State and then pulled away from the 15th-ranked Aggies with a six-goal third period.

Sophomore Kimberly Benedetti led the Lions with eight goals, scoring four in each game. She scored three in a seven-goal first quarter for the Lions in the win over Sonoma State, and then scored a pair in the decisive third quarter against UC Davis.

Freshman Erin Manke and junior Mary Ann Campos each scored five goals on the day.

The Lions start the season 2-0 and will face the winner of 14th-ranked UC Santa Barbara and 11th-ranked UC Irvine at 12:30 p.m., in the second semifinal on Sunday.