Feb. 25, 2012

Tournament Central

IRVINE, Calif. - LMU women's water polo used a balanced, team-based attack and solid defense to earn a split in the first day of the 2012 UC Irvine Invitational on Saturday. Facing a field in which all 16 teams are ranked, the Lions earned a 9-6 win over host and seventh ranked UC Irvine, then fell to second-ranked USC in a hard-fought battle, 8-6.

"The whole team played great, with balanced scoring and solid defense in the win against UC Irvine," said Head Coach Kyle Witt. "That seemed to really give us a lot of confidence and we were right there against USC. We had a chance with a couple of other shots, and as we learn to finish those, we might have been able to get over the hump."

Goalie Elise Ponce led the Lions defense with 25 saves and the Lions had balanced scoring throughout the day, including four goals from Alexandra Honny and three from Erin Manke.

"This team has heart and talent, we just need to keep growing and putting those together," said Witt. "Our defense is getting solid right now, and Pounce is played well in the two games today. This team is fun to coach."

Facing the Anteaters for the second time in a row, the teams found themselves in another tight one. After an even first quarter, the Lions took a 5-3 lead into halftime. Like UC Irvine did to the Lions last Saturday, LMU returned the favor by pulling away in the second half.

The Lions a three-goal lead throughout the second half and then played even in the fourth for the win to advance to the championship bracket.

Against the second-ranked Trojans, the Lions found themselves in another tight one against a nation's top-10 team.

USC took a 4-2 lead into the lockerroom and the Lions played the Trojans even in the third as USC led 6-4 entering the fourth. The Lions would cut the lead to one, 7-6, but USC would hold on down the stretch.

The Lions will continue play at the UC Irvine Invite on Sunday at the Anteater Aquatic Complez when they face No. 12 Michigan at 9:15 a.m. San Diego State and Arizona State are on the other half of that bracket and they play at 8 a.m.

Game 6 (10:15 AM)

at UC Irvine

UC Irvine vs.Loyola Marymount

Recap: Lions take over in third quarter for upset of Anteaters.

UCIgoals: Cardey - 4, K. Croghan, H. Croghan

LMUgoals: Delgado - 2, Manke - 2, Honny - 2, Beck - 2, Bonk

Saves: Avetoom (UCI) - 9, Ponce (LMU) - 13

Game 13 (2:00 PM)

at UC Irvine

USC vs. Loyola Marymount

Recap: Lions cut it to one in the fourth, but the Trojans prevail.

USC goals: Dan - 2, Vavic - 2, Gilchrist, Silvers, Jancso, O'Donnell

LMU goals: Honny - 2, Ki. Benedetti - 2, Delgado, Flacks

Saves: Bolonyai (USC) - 10, Ponce (LMU) - 12