LOS ANGELES – In a battle between the two conference tournament finalists from a season ago, #7 LMU remained perfect at home and in the Golden Coast Conference with a 12-9 win over #10 Fresno State.
 
The Lions responded to an early 1-0 deficit with three consecutive goals, including the first two from Brooke Tora Gil and the third from Kawehi Kauahi. Fresno State answered with the next two goals to tie the game at 3-3 before Tora Gil completed her first quarter hat trick with a go-ahead goal with 17 seconds remaining in the period. The Bulldogs equalized with one second on the clock to bring the score to 4-4.

Fresno State opened the second quarter with a goal to take their final lead of the game since LMU closed the half with four unanswered goals to push ahead 8-5 at the half. Emison Styris tied the game at 5-5 and also scored with eight seconds remaining until halftime. Cianne Benjamin and Chelsea Isaac each found the back of the cage in the period.
 
The Lions pushed their lead to four with Styris's scoring a minute and half into the second quarter. The Bulldogs scored twice in the third to bring their deficit to just two entering the final eight minutes of play.
 
Anna Tarantino's powerplay goal in the opening minute of the fourth quarter barred in to ignite the crowd before Styris scored her fourth of the day on a converted five-meter penalty shot. Fresno State would bookend another Tarantino goal to close out the game. Neither team scored in the final four minutes of play.
 
Madison Searle was excellent in the game, making 12 saves for a 57.1 percent save percentage, to go along with an assist and steal.
 
The Lions move to 2-0 in the GCC, while handing Fresno State their first conference loss. LMU's defense was perfect in powerplay situations, leaving the Bulldogs scoreless in two 6-on-5 opportunities.
 
LMU will next travel to the Convergence in Pomona, to face four opponents over two days on March 6-7.
 
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