LOS ANGELES – Top-seed LMU women's water polo left no doubt in the team's opening round game of the GCC Championships. The Lions outscored Santa Clara with the game's first 11 goals and never looked back in the team's 27-8 win in their home pool.
 
It took less than 40 seconds before the Lions got on the board as Yanah Gerber scored the game's opening goal. Anna Tarantino, Carolina Magano, and Kawehi Kauahi all followed with goals to push the Lions ahead 4-0 less than three minutes into the action. Gerber completed her hat trick before the 3:30 mark of the first quarter following back-to-back scores. Ruth Arino Ruiz ended the quarter with two more goals to push the Lions ahead 8-0.
 
Skye Nankervis, Gerber, and Cianne Benjamin added to the lead as LMU used an 11-0 start to the game. Santa Clara scored their first goal on a powerplay with 4:03 showing on the second quarter clock. LMU responded with the next five goals as Magano, Sophia DeMattia, and Cianne Benjamin twice, and Taylor Enright all beat the Bronco goalkeeper. In the closing seconds before halftime, Santa Clara made it a 16-2 game heading into intermission.
 
The scoring continued to start the second half as Arino Ruiz and Kauahi added to LMU's lead in less than 60 seconds. The two teams traded off the next four goals as DeMattia and Lily Larson answered goals from the visitors with scores of their own. DeMattia also added a penalty and Larson scored with 18 ticks of the clock left to take the lead to 22-5.
 
Freshman Sydney Chapman scored back-to-back goals to start the fourth quarter and senior Enright scored her second of the day to push the Lions ahead by 20. Santa Clara scored three goals late in the fourth, with London Boyd and Athena Ayers adding final goals for LMU.
 
Alyssa Barnuevo made four saves in her 16 minutes of work with an assist. Talia Herbermann added four saves with an assist after taking over at halftime.
 
With the win, the Lions advance to the semifinals and will face San Diego State back at the Burns Aquatics Center at 4:00 PM.
 
Tickets to the 2025 GCC Women's Water Polo Championship are available in advance of the tournament online through the LMU Ticket Office or by calling 310-338-5466. Once games begin, tickets will also be available for purchase on site at the entry gate to the Burns Aquatics Center.   
 
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