Jan. 27, 2012

SEASIDE, Calif. -- The 11th-ranked LMU women's water polo team earned a 13-2 win over Cal State Monterey Bay in the 2012 season opener on Friday morning in Seaside, Calif. They followed that with a 17-6 win over Pomona-Pitzer in the Speedo Invitational at Cal Friday night.

In the opener, Erin Manke scored three goals while Laura Lopez, Jessica Morelos and Kimberly Benedetti all scored a pair of goals as the Lions led 9-0 at the break and scored all 13 of their goals before CSUMB could answer.

Alexandra Honny, Casey Flacks, Whitney Delgado and Morgan Bonk also scored for the Lions. Goalie Elise Ponce allowed just two goals and had seven saves in the win.

In game two, the Lions had another strong second quarter, netting seven goals to take a 11-2 lead into halftime against the Sagehens. On the day, the Lions score 16 goals in the second quarter.

Manke once again led the Lions, scoring three against Pomona-Pitzer. Benedetti, Delgado and Bonk added two goals each as 12 players scored for the Lions. Ponce added nine more saves.

The Lions will take on No. 1 Stanford at 10 a.m., followed by No. 2 Cal at 3 p.m., tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 28) to finish play at the Speedo Invite.