IRVINE, Calif. – No. T-23 LMU women's water polo opened the 2023 Barbara Kalbus Invitational with a matchup against the second ranked USC Trojans. The Lions held a halftime lead against USC before dropping the game, 18-7.
 
After falling behind 2-0, Anna Tarantino scored with 3:47 on the first quarter clock to put the Lions on the board. USC extended their lead to 3-1 before Ruth Arino Ruiz converted a penalty shot with 1:40 to play in the quarter. The Trojans added one more to hold a 4-2 lead.
 
Yanah Gerber cut the deficit in half with the first goal of the second quarter before Alexandra Akritidou tied the score at 4-all with 2:25 to play. LMU took their first lead of the game as Gerber again converted a powerplay goal with 1:04 remaining in the half. After the Trojans tied it at 5-5, Mollie Williams closed the period with a go-ahead goal to give LMU a 6-5 halftime advantage.
 
USC scored all eight goals of the third quarter, and the first two goals of the fourth to build up a nine-goal lead. Akritidou put an end the dry spell with her goal at the 6:11 mark of the fourth. The Trojans closed the game out with the final three goals to take the match.
 
The Lions will play No. 11 Indiana on Saturday at 10:30 AM from the Corona Del Mar pool. The day will continue with a second game at either 4:00 or 5:15 PM back at Anteater Aquatics Complex.
 
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