TOURNAMENT CENTRAL
 
LA JOLLA, Calif. – In two games on Saturday to open the 2019 season, LMU (1-1) earned a win over (RV) Whittier to follow a loss earlier in the day against #4 California.
 
Game 1: #4 Cal 14, #14 LMU 9
 
California opened the action less than a minute into the game with a converted 5-Meter Penalty. Joseph Shaw responded with his first of his team-high three goals to even the score at 1-1 with 6:08 on the clock in the first. The Bears built up their lead to 3-1 before Shaw added his second of the quarter with 57 seconds remaining.
 
After Cal built their lead back up to two goals in the second quarter, it was Shaw once again to make it a one-goal game with his third goal of the day. The Bears closed out the half with the final three goals before intermission to make it a 7-3 game at the half.
 
The third quarter featured eight combined goals between the two teams. Cal built up a 10-3 lead before Jack Dunbar got one back for the Lions. Blazo Mitrovic followed a Berkeley goal with his first of the season and then Joseph Cavazos did the same to close out the third quarter trailing 12-6.
 
Alexandros Athymaritis and Mitrovic scored consecutive goals to open the final quarter and make it a 12-8 game with 5:25 remainig. David Carrasco scored his first goal as a Lion with 2:47 remaining to make it a 13-9 game, before Cal added one final goal to adjust the final score line.
 
Game 2: #14 LMU 12, (RV) Whittier 10
 
The Lions jumped out to a two-goal lead after Jonny Rimlinger and Alexandros Athymaritis each scored within the first three minutes of action. The Poets were able to tie the score at 2-apiece before David Carrasco gave the lead back to LMU. Whittier scored with six seconds remaining to tie the score heading into the second quarter.
 
The Poets took their first lead of the game to open the second quarter, but LMU responded with the final two goals of the half to take a 5-4 lead into the break. Carrasco scored with 2:26 on the clock and then Blazo Mitrovic finished his shot with one second remaining.
 
Mitrovic had an impressive third quarter, scoring five times in the period. The teams remained tight, with LMU carrying a 10-8 lead into the final eight minutes.
 
Whittier cut their deficit to just one goal, after scoring with 3:59 remaining in the game. Mitrovic again provided an answer on the ensuing possession with another goal. After the Poets cut the score to 11-10 with 2:50 on the clock, it was Mitrovic again who put the game away with his eighth goal of the game to secure the 12-10 victory.
 
Zach Zemliak earned his first win after recording eight saves.