LOS ANGELES – LMU women's water polo picked up a win on Saturday in the opening game of Golden Coast Conference competition. The #17 Lions defeated #20 San Diego State for the third time this season, 12-11, after picking up two early season tournament wins over the Aztecs in tournament play earlier in the year.
 
SDSU took a 3-1 lead in the first quarter with Mollie Williams scoring the first LMU goal. Williams added a second goal at the 3:18 mark and the Lions tied the game at 3-all on Ruth Arino Ruiz's goal with five seconds on the clock.
 
Yanah Gerber scored her first of four goals to open the second quarter and give LMU the lead for the first time all day. Arino Ruiz extended the lead to 5-3 before the Aztecs cut it back down to one. Gerber scored the next two goals to push LMU ahead, 7-4. The Lions took a 7-5 lead into the half.
 
San Diego State cut it to a one-goal game to open the third, before Williams scored her third of the day to complete the hat trick. The two teams traded goals again as SDSU's score was answered by Marialena Seletopoulou to close out the period with LMU leading 9-7.
 
The visitors scored the first two goals out of the gate to tie the game with 6:48 to play. Alena Sanchez pushed LMU back on top with 4:27 on the clock before SDSU tied it on their next possession. Gerber scored the go-ahead goal with 2:21 remaining and Marialena Seletopoulou pushed the lead to 12-10 with a goal at the 1:44 mark. The Aztecs cut it to 12-11 with less than 90 seconds to play but the LMU defense kept the Lions on top.
 
Madison Davis made seven saves to earn the win.
 
The Lions converted three penalty shots on the day with Arino Ruiz, Gerber, and Seletopoulouo all converting from the 5-meter spot.
 
Conference play continues at home next Saturday back at Burns Aquatics Center with an 11:00 am game against Concordia.