TEMPE, Ariz. – The 18^th-ranked LMU women's water polo team faced a pair of nationally-ranked opponents on Sunday for the first time this season. LMU lost the morning game against #14 Arizona State in their home pool before pulling out a tight win over 20^th-ranked Wagner in the final game of the Arizona State Tournament.
 
Game 1: #14 ASU 12, #18 LMU 7
 
The game went back and forth early as neither team led by more than one goal in the first quarter. Skye Nankervis opened the game with a goal against the tournament hosts before ASU quickly answered with an equalizer. Lior Ben David put the Lions back on top, but again, the Sun Devils responded with an answer. Mikayla Lopez took advantage of a power play to give LMU their advantage back before ASU took their first lead with the next two goals. With 1:23 on the clock, Yanah Gerber scored to tie the game at 4-4. Arizona State took a lead with a goal in the final seven seconds of the first.
 
After LMU drew an exclusion, Sophie Kadifa opened the second quarter with the tying goal by utilizing the extra attacker. The 5-5 tie score remained until the final half minute of the quarter when the Sun Devils scored the go-ahead goal.

Arizona State added to their lead in the third quarter with three additional goals.
 
The Sun Devils scored the first two goals of the fourth period as well until Noa Sasover put an end to the run with her goal at the 4:26 mark of the final quarter. Julia Erwin added a late goal with 31 seconds showing on the clock to give LMU their seventh and final goal of the game.
 
LMU split playing time between Madison Davis and Inbar Geva in the cage. Each goalkeeper played 16 minutes and allowed six goals apiece. Davis recorded four saves and Geva made two.
 
Game 2: #18 LMU 9, #20 Wagner 8
 
The Lions fell behind to open the game before Lior Ben David and Ruth Arino Ruiz gave LMU a brief 2-1 lead. Wagner responded with the final three goals of the opening period, including two goals in the final 46 seconds to take a 4-2 lead after one.
 
The Seahawks took their largest lead of the game in the second quarter before a converted penalty shot by Skye Nankervis and a goal by Anna Tarantino on the ensuing possession cut into LMU's deficit. Wagner added a goal before the half to take a 6-4 halftime lead.
 
The Lions controlled the third quarter, scoring all three goals to start the second half. Yanah Gerber and Sophia DeMattia both scored at even strength while Nankervis converted her second penalty goal of the afternoon.
 
Wagner pulled within one on their opening possession of the fourth before Arino Ruiz and Nankervis built up a two-goal cushion with half the period remaining. The Seahawks scored with 3:25 on the clock to pull back within one, but LMU fended off any further attempts to even the score and pulled out the one-goal victory.
 
Madison Davis and Inbar Geva split the two halves in the cage. Davis allowed two goals and made one save, while Geva recorded a season-best five saves.
 
The Lions will return to play on Jan. 26 in the home opener. LMU will host Long Beach State for the program's first game under the lights at Burns Aquatics Center. The game will begin at 6:00 PM and stream on ESPN+

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