Feb. 26, 2011

Irvine, CA - Ten games into the 2011 season, the LMU women's water polo has thrived in the fourth quarter. However, in the opening day of the 2011 UCI Invitational the Lions' defense was dominate in the first half, not allowing a single goal in a pair of games.

The Lions went on to post a 9-5 win over No. 12 Long Beach State in the opener and then saw No. 3 UCLA score three unanswered goals in the fourth quarter and then block a game-tying shot at the buzzer for a 6-5 win. With the split, the Lions move their record to 9-3 on the season.

Kristine Cato was huge in goal for the Lions, posting 24 saves in the two games while allowing just 11 goals. The Lions offense was balanced the entire day as five players scored in the game one win over Long Beach State and four players scored against the Bruins.

Thanks to the first half shutout against the 49ers, the Lions too a 3-0 lead into the lockerroom. Long Beach made it interesting with four goals in the third, but the Lions matched them goal-for-goal. Mary Ann Campos, Diana Romero, Alexandra Honny and Kimberly Benedetti all had a pair of goals each in the win.

In the second meeting of the season against the Bruins, the Lions jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one. Both defenses were stiff in the second as neither team would score.

The third quarter then saw both teams get on track offensively as they combined for six goals, three goals each as LMU lead 5-3.

UCLA would then spread three goals throughout the quarter while the Lions couldn't answer as the Bruins took the lead late, 6-5. LMU would have one last possession and got a shot off but it was blocked as the buzzer sounded.

The Lions will face No. 7 San Diego State at the Anteater Pool on Sunday at 9:15. The other side of the bracket will have No. 9 Arizona State taking on No. 4 Cal at 8:00 a.m. The winners will play at 2:45 p.m., while the losers at 1:30 p.m.

No. 6 LMU 9, No. 12 Long Beach St. 5
Box Score -- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 --- F
LMU -- 1 - 2 - 4 - 2 --- 9
LBSU -- 0 - 0 - 4 - 1 --- 5
LMU goals: Morgan Bonk - 1, Mary Ann Campos - 2, Diana Romero - 2, Alexandra Honny - 2, Kimberly Benedetti - 2
LBSU goals: Heather McKeon - 1, Krizia Cerda - 1, Meaghan Leonard - 3
Saves: Cato (LMU) - 9, Stragier (LBSU) - 8

No. 3 UCLA 6,No. 6 Loyola Marymount 5
Box Score -- 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 --- F
UCLA -- 0 - 0 - 3 - 3 --- 6
LMU -- 2 - 0 - 3 - 0 --- 5
UCLA goals: Sarah Orozco - 2, Priscilla Orozco - 2, Brooke Martin - 1, Grace Reynolds - 1
LMU goals: Daisy Carrillo - 1, Mary Ann Campos - 2, Erin Manke - 1, Kimberly Benedetti - 1
Saves: Hill (UCLA) - 9, Cato (LMU) - 15