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LOS ANGELES -- After two weeks off, the 23rd-ranked LMU women's water polo team returns to action with the 16th annual LMU Invitational this Friday and Saturday, March 17-18 at the Burns Aquatics Center. The Lions will host 12 games over the two days with proceeds from the tournament going to their Lions Athletic Fund.

The Lions will welcome a diverse field to this year's tournament including George Washington (12-3*), 15th-ranked Long Beach State (7-7*), sixth-ranked Michigan (13-8), Pomona-Pitzer (6-11), and Whittier (7-9). Both the Pomona-Pitzer and Whitter are receiving votes in this week's national poll. * - Both GW and LBSU will play Thursday night before entering the tournament.

Games to LMU water polo are normally free at the Burns Aquatics Center. However, the annual LMU Invitational has become an opportunity to give back to the program. Tickets to the tournament will go to the Lions Athletic Fund of the women's water polo team, which helps raise funds for the overall scholarship and development budgets of the program. Individual day passes are $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under/seniors over 55 if purchased in advance through LMULions.com/Tickets. Day passes on game day are $12 and $7. To purchase, CLICK HERE.

The Lions enter the tournament at 5-10 overall and are led by senior Caitlin Schafer with 29 goals and 40 points, which are both ranked eighth in the Golden Coast Conference. Sophomores Hana Villanova and Morgan Molloy are second and third on the team in goals with 19 and 16, respectively.

Sophomore Katie Hungerford leads the team with 20 assists and helps anchor the Lions' defense with 20 steals, second to only Schafer's 21. Senior Kiana Etrata is second on the team with 12 assists, adding 13 steals.

The Lions defense has been solid this year, ranking among the best in the GCC allowing just 7.57 goals per contest.

The tournament begins Friday at 8 am with Pomona-Pitzer taking on George Washington. The Lions then hit the pool for a match-up with the sixth-ranked Wolverines at 9:15 am. Whittier and Long Beach State will then conclude the morning session at 10:30 am.

The afternoon session on Friday begins with the Lions taking on Pomona-Pitzer at 1 pm, followed by Whiiter and George Washington at 2:15 pm. The day ends with a top-20 match-up between Long Beach State and Michigan at 3:30 pm.

Saturday will open with the Lions hosting George Washington at 8 am, followed by Whittier taking on Michigan at 9:15 and then Long Beach State facing Pomona-Pitzer at 10:30 am. The final afternoon session opens with the Lions facing Whittier at 1 pm. Long Beach State will take on George Washington at 2:15 pm. The tournament will close with Michigan facing Pomona-Pitzer at 3:30 pm.

Follow all the action live via Live Stats. All the links and results can be found at the TOURNAMENT CENTRAL only on LMULIONS.com.

Support LMU's 22 intercollegiate teams and it's student-athletes through scholarships and team support by joining the Lions Athletics Fund. Your help will make LMU #LIONSTRONG.