LOS ANGELES – The 19^th-ranked LMU women's water polo team earned their first top-10 win of the season in Friday's home opener. The Lions defeated The Beach, 12-9, after the two teams were even at the half.
 
The Lions opened the game in a 2-0 deficit before Lior Ben David, Ruth Arino Ruiz, and Yanah Gerber responded with three consecutive goals to put the Lions on top. Long Beach State scored with 35 seconds remaining in the half to tie the score at 3-all.
 
The two teams traded off scoring in the second quarter with LMU having a response for each LBSU go-ahead goal. Anna Tarantino tied the score at both 4-4 and 5-5. Gerber scored with 14 seconds showing on the clock to tie the game heading into intermission.
 
After The Beach scored the first goal of the third quarter, LMU rattled off five consecutive goals to close out the third. Arino Ruiz tied the score at 7-7 and gave the Lions the lead at 8-7. Noa Sasover, Skye Nankervis, and Sophia DeMattia scored the next three goals between the 3:22 and 1:09 mark to push the lead to 11-7.
 
Lior Ben David gave LMU their largest lead of the game with her goal at 3:38 of the fourth. Long Beach State scored twice late, but the game was decided by that point.
 
LMU's goalkeepers split halves in the cage. Inbar Geva played the first half and make four saves with an assist. Madison Davis made two saves.
 
The Lions will play two games on Saturday as part of the Fullerton Mini Invite. Games are scheduled for 9:00 AM and noon.
 
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