April 19, 2013

IRVINE, Calif. -- LMU women's water polo opened the final weekend of the regular season with their fourth straight opponent in the top-six, this time falling No. 6 UC Irvine, 12-7, on Friday night.

UCI (19-8, 6-1) jumped out in front with the first four goals of the game. Michaela Pierandozzi scored the first two, but Laura Lopez would counter for LMU (17-12, 6-1) to close the gap to 4-2 after one period.

UCI would stretch the lead with four more goals in the second period. Cambria Shockley converted her second penalty shot of the match, and Hillary Estrada would double skip a shot in at the halftime buzzer to give the 'Eaters the 8-3 lead.

Both teams scored four times in the second half. Ambyr Stewart came on late to join Pierandozzi as two 'Eaters with hat tricks.

LMU got a hat trick from Lopez while Bridgette Alvarez and Alexandra Honny had two goals each.

The Lions will conclude the regular season with Senior Day tomorrow, Saturday, at 3 pm when they take on Occidental.

#6 UC IRVINE 12, #11 LMU 7

UCI goals: Michaela Pierandozzi (3), Ambyr Stewart (3), McKenna Mitchell (2), Cambria Shockley (2), Kelsey Klatt, Hillary Estrada

LMU goals: Laura Lopez (3), Alexandra Honny (2), Bridgette Alvarez (2)

Saves: UCI: Jillian Yocum (3), Annika Nelson (1); LMU: Claire Wright (5)