STOCKTON, Calif. – #18 Men's Water Polo had a second chance at handing #4 Pacific their first loss of the season. This is the second time the Lions held a two-goal halftime lead over the Tigers, but similarly to the first matchup a month ago, Pacific won the game with a strong second half, 9-5.
 
The home team opened the game with a powerplay goal less than 90 seconds into action. Abel Romero Corbalan tied the game at 1-1 before a second 6-on-5 conversion gave the lead back to the Tigers. Roman Saroyan scored an even strength goal with seconds ticks remaining in the first quarter clock to tie the score even at 2-2.
 
Romero Corbalan and Saroyan each added their second goals in the second quarter and accounted for the only scoring of the period to push the Lions ahead 4-2 at intermission.
 
Pacific responded after halftime with all four goals of the third quarter to retake their lead.
 
The second half scoring run continued to six unanswered before Bence Barics added one back for the Lions at the 4:42 mark of the fourth to pull LMU back within three, 8-5. Despite already having one penalty shot saved by goalkeeper Stelios Dalmaras earlier in the fourth, Pacific was able to convert their second attempt from 5-meters in the closing minutes.
 
Dalmaras made 11 saves in total and added a steal.
 
The Lions host Pepperdine on Friday night at Burns Aquatics Center to continue WCC play.
 
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