Box Score LOS ANGELES – LMU women's water polo started their season in dominant fashion on Saturday, winning both games handily, while keeping the opponents to 18 percent shooting. The #T-18 Lions defeated Concordia 19-4, then closed the day with a 23-4 win over Whittier.
 
GAME 1: #T-8 LMU 19, Concordia 4
Kawehi Kauahi scored the opening goal of the season just nine seconds into play. After Concordia tied the score at 1-1, seniors Lily Larson and Anna Tarantino pushed the lead to 3-1 over the final three minutes of the quarter. Larson scored an even-strength goal and Tarantino converted a penalty with 48 seconds left.
 
After the Golden Eagles scored an opening minute goal in the second period, the Lions responded with the next five to close out the half. Carolina Magano, Noa Sasover, Kauahi, Emison Styris, and Cianne Benjamin all scored in the quarter to extend the lead to 8-2 at intermission.
 
The lead grew to double digits with six consecutive goals to open the new half. Sasover scored twice in the first two minutes of the third quarter. Cila David followed with her first goal as a Lion before Kauahi scored her third of the game. Rylee Harrington and Chelsea Isaac increased the lead to a dozen with 2:25 showing on the clock. Concordia added a penalty goal before Tarantino scored her second penalty goal to push the lead to 15-3.
 
Freshmen Styris and Brooke Tora Gil opened the fourth quarter with gaols to build the lead to 17-3. After the Golden Eagles scored their final goal of the game at the 4:10 mark, Ruby Meier scored on consecutive possessions to close the game.
 
Tatum Roistacher played the first half in goal, making three saves on five shot attempts. Gabrielle MacAfee and Madison Searle each played a quarter in the second half. MacAfee recorded a save and a steal, while Searle made two saves with an assist.
 
GAME 2: #T-8 LMU 23, Whittier 4
LMU took an early 3-0 lead against Whittier as Noa Sasover scored twice and Brooke Tora Gil scored one. After the Poets got on the board, the Lions closed out the period with the final three goals. Ruby Meier, Carla Rivera, and Athena Ayers scored three consecutive goals to push the lead to 6-1.
 
Sophia DeMattia scored the first two goals of the second quarter and Cianne Benjamin followed to push the lead to 9-1. Whittier scored just past the midway point of the second before Sydney Chapman and London Boyd each scored over the final minute and a half of the quarter to bring the score to 11-2 at halftime.
 
The Lions pitched a third quarter shutout, outscoring Whittier 7-0 in the period. Ayers opened the scoring, followed by Styris with two, Tora Gil, Schrier, Sasover, and DeMattia.
 
Chelsea Isaac opened the fourth quarter with a penalty goal, Rivera added to the lead with a powerplay goal, and Anna Tarantino scored at even strength. The two sides traded off scoring the final four goals. Whittier scored first, followed by an LMU goal from Cila David, then another goal from the Poets, before Rylee Harrington closed out the scoring with two seconds left.
 
Madison Searle earned her first career start and win. The freshman made six saves on eight shots. Gabrielle MacAfee made four saves in her scoreless third quarter and Tatum Roistacher recorded three saves over the final minute.
 
UP NEXT:
The Lions will play three games in Tempe, Ariz., for the Arizona State Tournament next weekend. Opponents include Michigan and Arizona State on Saturday before concluding with McKendree on Sunday morning.
 
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