LOS ANGELES – After the two teams went back-and-forth for the game's first six goals, #15 LMU men's water polo closed out the first quarter with four unanswered goals and never looked back to earn the win over Concordia, 15-10.
 
Bence Barics tied the game at 1-1 and then Tommaso Baldineti scored twice to make it a 3-3 game with 4:54 showing on the opening period clock. Baldineti completed his first quarter hat trick with a go-ahead goal with just under three to play in the quarter. After Baptiste Oliveri and Abel Romero Corbalan joined the scoring, Baldineti closed out the first with his fourth of the opening period to bring the lead to 7-3 with just six ticks remaining on the clock.
 
Romero Corbalan had an answer for each of Concordia's two early goals in the second quarter to bring his game total to three. Baldineti scored with 1:25 remaining in the half to double-up the score, 10-5, in favor of the Lions. The Golden Eagles added one just before intermission to bring the score to 10-6 at the half.
 
After Concordia pulled within three to open the new half, Barics, Baldineti, and Romero Corbalan helped build the lead back up to six before the Golden Eagles stopped the run. Oliveri converted his second penalty of the game to close out the quarter.
 
Baldineti's big day continued as he caged his seventh goal of the game just before the midway point of the fourth. Concordia added two late, but the lead was secure as the Lions moved to 3-0.
 
Finn Friedland played all 32 minutes in goal for the Lions, making 10 saves and recording three steals.

LMU will play their first road game of the season on Saturday, with a trip up to Malibu for the PCH Cup against Pepperdine.
 
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