March 9, 2010

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The LMU women's water polo team has opened the 2010 season at 10-2, defeating No. 12 UC Santa Barbara 9-6, and Fresno Pacific 14-1 last week. In the process the Lions have had three of the four Player of the Week selections in the Western Water Polo Association, helping them to their best start in the program's already successful history.

The Lions have won 20 or more games in nine straight seasons and they are already half way there. In the win over yet another top-20 program on Sunday at UCSB, the Lions got hat-tricks from Mary Ann Campos and Kimberly Benedetti, along with single goals from Daisy Carrillo, Camille Hopp and Diana Romero.

Benedetti is off to fast start on the season, leading the Lions with 25 goals on the year.

Showing even more balance, 10 different Lions scored in the 14-1 win over Fresno Pacific.

The defense has also been tough, as first-year goalie Christine Kato and the Lions tough interior have allowed six or fewer goals in six games on the season. Kato made seven saves against UCSB and was coming off a 56-save performance in four games at the UC Invitational, earning her Western Water Polo Association Player of the Week honors on March 3. She averaged 14 saves per game in four games against ranked opponents.

She had a career-best 16 against UC Irvine. She allowed only four goals against CSUN, making 13 saves, including one on a penalty shot. She added two assists and two steals.

The Lions will host Cal State Bakersfield on Friday, March 12 before heading off to San Diego State for the Aztec Invitational on Saturday, March 13. They will face Marist at 11:45 a.m. and Maryland at 6 p.m.