Box Score
LOS ANGELES – Avenging a loss in their first matchup earlier this season, #20 Loyola Marymount (9-11, 3-1 WWPA) defeated #12 Cal Baptist (17-10, 2-2 WWPA), 12-8, on Thursday afternoon.
Eric Reitmeir and
Daniel Arellano pushed LMU to the early lead with back-to-back powerplay goals in the first quarter, before CBU strung together three straight to take their first lead of the day.
Blazo Mitrovic answered with a goal of his own while the Lions had the man advantage to tie it at 3-all, but the Lancers scored with 39 seconds left in the quarter to take the lead back after one period.
LMU's strong second quarter set the tone for the remainder of the match. The Lions outscored CBU, 3-0, in the eight-minute stretch and never surrendered the lead from then on out.
Daniel Arellano scored twice in the period, both coming off assists from
Austin Clark.
Dayne Jagga added a goal as well, capitalizing on an assist from
Christian Huhn.
After Cal Baptist opened the third quarter with a goal to cut their deficit to one, LMU rattled off three straight.
Alexandros Athymaritis converted an even-strength goal and Clark and Arellano followed with powerplay goals. CBU earned a 5-meter shot with just under two minutes to play, and scored to make it a 8-6 LMU advantage. Jagga added one before the quarter came to a close, giving LMU the three-goal lead after three.
The two teams traded goals in the fourth, with Jagga kicking things off and Mitrovic scoring with three minutes remaining. The Lions held on for the 12-8 win.
Arellano finished his day with game-highs in three categories, recording four goals, three assists, and two steals.
Robert Halligan totaled 12 saves and added a steal in his complete game as LMU's goalkeeper.
The two teams met on opening weekend this year, but LMU earned the benefit of a conference win with Thursday's result. Cal Baptist topped LMU, 13-12, in overtime, at the UC San Diego Triton Invitational.
The Lions return to action on Saturday at Concordia for a noon contest before playing one final home match on Sunday. The 10 a.m. Sunday game against Princeton will be followed with a special senior day celebration to recognize LMU's senior class playing in their final home games at Burns Aquatic Center.
