May 1, 2011

Final Stats

HAYWARD, Calif. - Eighth-ranked LMU fell to UC San Diego, 13-11, in the Western Water Polo Association Championships title game on Sunday at Chabot Community College in Hayward, Calif. The Lions finished the season 26-9 overall and see their 35-game winning streak against the WWPA come to an end.

UC San Diego scored six goals in the fourth quarter and overcame a two-goal deficit to win their first WWPA crown. They earn the WWPA's automatic bid to the NCAA championships.

Kimberly Benedetti scored five goals in the title game to earn first-team All-Tournament honors. Erin Manke also was named first-team All-Tournament, while Casey Flacks was second-team.

The 24 goals scored by the two teams replaces last year's 12-10 LMU win in the 2010 title game as the highest scoring title game in WWPA history.

The scoring started early and often as Benedetti's goal with nine seconds left in the first quarter tied the game at 4-4. The teams would trade goals in the second quarter with UCSD's Sarah Lizette tying the game at 6-6 with 11 seconds to play in the first half.

UCSD would take a 7-6 lead to start the third before LMU scored three straight goals to take a 9-7 lead, the last coming on Morgan Bonk's goal 14 seconds into the fourth quarter. The team's would trade goals as LMU took a 10-8 lead on Daisy Carrillo's goal with 6:04 to play.

The Tritons would then surge with three goals of their own, taking an 11-10 lead on Jessica Tran's goal with 2:35 to play.

Benedetti would score her fifth goal on the next possession to tie the game at 11-11 with 2:15 to play.

UCSD then would take the lead for good, 12-11, when tournament MVP Hanalei Crowell scored with 1:59 to play. Katherin Biehle then taked on an insurance goal.