LA JOLLA, Calif. – LMU women's water polo fell behind 3-0, but climbed back to tie the game three times including twice in the fourth quarter. The #12 UC San Diego Tritons scored in the final second to take the game, 11-10, over the #17 Lions.
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The Tritons scored all three goals of the first quarter to take the early lead.
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Mollie Williams scored LMU's first goal of the day to open the second quarter. After UCSD added one,
Ruth Arino Ruiz and Williams scored less than a minute apart to pull the Lions within one. Alexandra Akritidoou evened the game at 4-all with 1:23 to play, but the home team took a 5-4 lead into halftime.
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UC San Diego built their lead up to two with the opening goal of the second half before
Yanah Gerber converted on the powerplay less than a minute into the period. The Tritons converted a penalty and then an even-strength goal to increase their lead to three.
Marialena Seletopoulou scored back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to 8-7. UCSD took a 9-7 lead into the final period.
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Seletopoulou scored her third goal of the half to open the fourth quarter.
Kelsey Snelgar followed at the 3:56 mark to tie the game at 9-9. After UCSD reclaimed the lead, Seletopoulou took advantage of the 6-on-5 and tied the score with 1:15 to play at 10-all. The Lions forced a turnover with 23 seconds on the clock but could not convert the go-ahead goal. The Tritons scored in the final seconds to get the game-winner with one tick left on the clock.
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LMU held the Tritons scoreless on six powerplay attempts. The Lions converted three of four following an exclusion.
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Elizabeth Bradley made 15 saves in her 32 minutes in LMU's cage.
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The Lions will remain on the road for the next four games to open April.
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