Feb. 7, 2010

LA JOLLA, Calif. - The LMU women's water polo continued their impressive play to open the 2010 season with a sweep on the final day of the UC San Diego Triton Invitational on Sunday, defeating 11th-ranked UC Irvine, 11-5, and 13th-ranked Hartwick, 12-7, to claim the tournament title and start the season a perfect 4-0.

The Lions open the season scoring 57 goals, the most in program history through four games. The previous high was 41 set in 2005, the same year they set the program for goals in a season with 379. The Lions won the Triton Invitational title for the fifth time, playing in the tournament every year since 2002 and winning it in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

LMU opened the day in the second semifinal against UC Irvine. The Lions led 4-3 after one and 6-5 at the break. However, goalie Kristine Cato and the Lions' defense held the Anteaters off the scoreboard the rest of the game while the offense put five on the board to earn the win.

Seven different players scored for the Lions, including a pair of goals for junior Daisy Carrillo, senior Anne Scott, freshman Erin Manke and sophomore Casey Flacks.

Cato had 10 saves in the semifinal win, including a save on a penalty shot in the fourth quarter.

In the title game it was Cato and the Lions' defense setting the tone early, helping them jump out on Hartwick early, taking a 10-3 to run away with the title. Cato finished with 14 saves, including another save on a penalty shot.

Scott and sophomore Hana Gosney had three goals in the final.

The Lions will have a big test on Saturday, Feb. 13 when they travel to No. 3 USC for a 12 noon start.