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LA JOLLA, Calif. -- For the first 22 minutes against the eighth-ranked team in the country, LMU men's water polo staged impressive defense, holding UC San Diego to just one goal. In fact, both teams in this 61st meeting of the rivalry displayed uncharacteristic defense.

Both teams entered the game allowing over 10 goals a game, but for nearly a 12 minute stretch between the second and third quarters, neither team would score as LMU held onto a slim 2-1 margin.

However, the Tritons showed more offensive depth than the depleted Lions, scoring six goals in the final 10 minutes of the game for a 7-2 win in La Jolla, Calif., on Wednesday afternoon. LMU falls to 3-8 overall and 1-1 in the Western Water Polo Association, while UCSD goes to 5-6 and 2-0.

Matt Cuozzo game the Lions a 1-0 lead with 4:33 to play in the first quarter. After the Tritons tied it with just 27 seconds left in the opening frame, Kyle Etrata scored just over a minute into the second quarter for the 2-1 lead.

And the score would stay that way for the next 6:30 going into halftime. It would hold for another six minutes before The Tritons would tie it at the 2:03 mark.

UC San Diego finally took the edge in the contest on Chase Cockerill's goal with just 12 seconds left in the quarter.

The Tritons would slowly tack on insurance goals as the Lions - still down five starters - couldn't find the back the net again.

LMU continues its tough stretch when they travel to top-ranked UCLA on Saturday, Oct. 4 for a 12 noon start.