SAN DIEGO, Calif. – #9 LMU women's water polo defeated #21 San Diego State on Saturday afternoon following a 7-3 first quarter. The Lions are 6-0 in the Golden Coast Conference following the 17-11 win over the Aztecs.
 
The Lions jumped out to a quick 4-0 lead less than four minutes into the game with goals from Sophia DeMattia, Yanah Gerber, Carolina Magano, and Gerber again. After SDSU scored their first goal of the day, Skye Nankervis converted a power play to push the lead to 5-1. The home team scored back-to-back goals from Megan Holcomb before Gerber completed her first quarter hat trick with her third of the period. Ruth Arino Ruiz scored with 22 seconds on the clock to make it a 7-3 game after one.
 
Another strong start from LMU to open the second period extended the lead to 11-3 as Ruth Arino Ruiz scored twice with goals that bookended scores from Mikayla Lopez and Kawehi Kauahi. San Diego State's Sydney Gish scored twice in the final 1:34 before halftime to make it an 11-5 game at intermission.
 
The Aztecs scored the first three goals of the third quarter to make it an 11-8 game with 3:30 on the clock. Anna Tarantino stopped the run and Tarantino added another on a converted penalty to bring the score back up to five with 2:33 remaining in the period. San Diego State scored twice in the last 2:13 to pull back within three entering the fourth.
 
The Lions would not let it get any closer as DeMattia scored on LMU's opening possession of the fourth quarter. After SDSU scored their final goal of the game with just under five minutes to play, LMU doubled their lead from three to six with the final three goals of the game. Arino Ruiz converted her second penalty and fifth goal of the game, Gerber scored her fourth of the afternoon, and Tarantino closed out the action with her second of the contest.
 
Alyssa Barnuevo played all 16 minutes in the cage to earn the win for the Lions with her five saves over 32 minutes of action.
 
The Lions have one regular season game remaining before hosting the 2025 GCC Championships on May 25-27. LMU has a chance to complete a second-straight unbeaten season in conference play on Thursday against California Baptist. The team will also recognize the nine-member senior class ahead of that game as well.
 
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