Sept. 1, 2012

WHITTIER, Calif. - The 10th-ranked LMU men's water polo team opened the 2012 season with an impressive 17-6 win over Whittier in Western Water Polo Association play on Saturday.

"It was a great start for us," said Head Coach John Loughran. "For the first game of the season, they really played as a team really, really well. We have been stressing communication and helping each other, and they did that well."

Freshman Milutin Mitrovic had a breakout debut for the Lions, scoring six goals on seven shots to lead the Lions offensively. Senior Kyle Testman anchored the LMU's defense, making nine saves. Senior Jon Colton had a well-balanced game, finishing with four steals and three assists.

The Lions scored the game's first five goals and led 5-0 after senior Matt Venner scored with 44 seconds left in the first frame. Whittier would score the next three goals to cut the lead to 5-3 just 1:30 into the second period.

Goals from Matt Stipanovich, Robert Pusic and Mitrovic pushed the Lions lead to 8-3 with 3:23 to go in the first half. The team's would trade goals to send the game to halftime with the Lions leading 9-4.

Defense ruled the third period as Testman and Lions allowed just one goal while Mitrovic, Peter Olson and John Mikuzis made the score 12-5 heading into the final frame.

LMU would score the first three of the fourth quarter and once again allowed just a single goal in the quarter as they pulled away for the WWPA win.

The Lions will take on rival Pepperdine in the first Wells Fargo PCH Cup battle of the 2012-13 season on Saturday, Sept. 8 in Malibu at 12 noon.

#10 LMU 17, Whittier 6
#10 LMU --- 5 - 4 - 3 - 5 --- 17
Whittier --- 1 - 3 - 1 - 1 --- 6
Scoring: LMU - Milutin Mitrovic 6, John Mikuzis 2, Matt Stipanovich 2, Matt Venner 2, Robert Pusic, Joe Ferretti, Liam Shorrock, Seth Coldren, Vuk Cvetkovic.
Saves:LMU - Kyle Testman 9