Jan. 20, 2011

FORT COLLINS, Colo. - The sixth-ranked LMU women's water polo program kick-started the 2011 season in record fashion, earning a 19-5 win over Colorado State at Edora Pool-Ice Center in Fort Collins, Colo., Thursday night. The 19 goals is the most in a season opener for the Lions and two short of the all-time goals record.

Senior Mary Ann Campos scored five goals as the Lions jumped out to a 12-2 win over the Rams halftime and never looked back. Sophomore Erin Mank added four goals, while junior Kimberly Benedetti scored three.

"This was a very good start for us," said Head Coach Kyle Witt, who begins his second season with the Lions. "We are starting the season earlier than ever and are playing five very tough games away from home. It was important for us to get the season started strong."

The Lions were efficient in their attack, scoring on 63 percent of their attempts (19-for-30). Meanwhile, the Lions defense allowed just five goals behind 10 saves from Kristine Cato and Elise Ponce. LMU forced CSU into tough shots as they finished scoring on just 14 percent of their shots (5-of-34).

LMU will continue their early season road swing when they take on a tough field at the 2011 Michigan Invitational on Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 23-24. The Lions will open with No. 12 Indiana at 7:30 a.m. (PT), Saturday, Jan. 22. They will then close the opening day with top-ranked Stanford at 1:50 p.m. Day two isn't much easier, as they will face 15th-ranked Cal State Northridge at 5:25 a.m. (PT) and then No. 7 San Jose State at 10:30 a.m.

No. 6 LMU 19, Colorado St. 5
LMU 6-6-4-3 - 19
CSU 1-1-2-1 - 5
LMU goals: Campos 5, Manke 4, Benedetti 3, Romero 2, Bonk 2, Carrillo, Castagnola, Morelos.
CSU goals: Pavlik 2, Young, Nadasdy, Berge.

LMU shots on goal (30): Campos 7, Manke 4, Morelos 3, Benedetti 3, Fletcher 2, Gosney 2, Castagnola 2, Romero 2, Bonk 2, Carrillo, Flacks, Honny.

CSU shots on goal (34): Pavlik 9, Berry 5, Berge 5, Rapp 4, Young 3, Nadasdy 2, Bryan 2, McShane 2, Schaefer 2.

LMU saves (10): Cato/Ponce
CSU saves (6): Fisher 6.