Sept. 19, 2010

LMU vs. Santa Clara Box Score in PDF Format
LMU vs. Long Beach St. Box Score in PDF Format

BERKELEY, Calif. -- Just like day one on Ssaturday, the LMU men's water polo team suffered another tough two-game split, this time in the final day of the 2010 NorCal Open hosted by Cal in Berkeley, Calif., on Sunday. The Lions defeated conference foe Santa Clara, 8-6, and then fell in the ninth-place game to Long Beach State, 6-5.

Both of the Lions setbacks came to teams in the top-10 and both by one goal. The Lions fell to No. 9 Pepperdine in sudden-death overtime and now to the 49ers on a goal in the final minutes of the fourth quarter.

With the split, the Lions are 6-4 on the season and improve to 5-0 against foes from the Western Water Polo Association.

The Lions started the day with the two-goal win over Santa Clara to improve their win streak to 36 games against the WWPA. Six different players scored, including a pair from Tibor Forai and Daniel Smith.

LMU trailed 3-1 after the first period, but reversed that score in the second quarter to send the game into the break tied at four. LMU's defense once again was key in the win, shutting out the Broncos in the third quarter while scoring three to take a 7-4 lead and pull away.

In the final game of the day, defense ruled from the start. Long Beach State took a 2-1 lead after one, but another shutout quarter by the Lions' defense and a goal sent the game tied at two at the break.

The teams each scored a pair to set-up the final decisive frame. Edgaras Asajavicius led the Lions with three goals while Forai added a pair.

LMU will continue a tough stretch as they will take on UCLA in Westwood Saturday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. The Bruins will likely enter the game ranked No. 2 in the nation as they finished second at the NorCal Open this weekend.