March 24, 2012

LOS ANGELES - Half of the LMU's 18 opponents this season have been ranked in the nation's top-10. Sunday will be their 10th, as the Lions travel to USC for the second meeting against the third-ranked Trojans. Game time is set for 1 p.m.

The Lions head to USC on a five-game winning streak after sweeping four games at the LMU Invitational last weekend to improve to 11-7 overall and 6-0 in the Western Water Polo Association.

LMU sophomore Alexandra Honny led the seventh-ranked Lions at the 12th annual LMU Invitational with 15 goals, two assists, five kickouts drawn and nine steals. She had the Lions second six-goal game of the season against Colorado State.

In 18 games, Honny has 38 goals to ranked second behind senior Kimberly Benedetti, who has 40 goals on the year. Three others have at least 20 goals on the season, including Erin Manke with 24, Whiney Delgado with 21 and Morgan Bonk with 20.

Defense has been the focus of the Lions and goalie Elise Ponce anchors a squad that is allowing just seven goals per game. Ponce has 177 saves and 22 steals on the season.

The Women of Troy now set up for a quick trip to Arizona to take on No. 4 ASU on Saturday (March 24) for an MPSF matchup at 12 p.m. before turning around to return to McDonald's Swim Stadium for the match-up against the Lions.

It will be the second meeting between the two teams, with USC willing 8-6 at the UC Irvine Invitational on Feb. 25.