LMU Water Polo: Lions open conference play in Fresno

After a pair of losses in the WWPA/GCC Challenge last weekend, Loyola Marymount University’s men’s water polo team begins conference play Sept. 21 at Fresno Pacific.

On Sept. 14, LMU’s Blazo Mitrovic scored six goals in a game for the fifth time in his career to open the day, and added two more in the afternoon contest, but LMU lost twice, 16-11 to eighth-ranked Pepperdine and 12-11 to No. 9 UC Irvine.

Against Pepperdine, the Lions trailed 9-5 at halftime and 14-7 after three quarters before rallying in the final period but falling short. In addition to Mitrovic’s six goals, Daniel Roth scored twice for LMU.

In the afternoon match with UC Irvine, goals by Mitrovic and David Carrasco gave the Lions an early 2-0 lead, but the Anteaters burned the next for six straight goals before Carrasco ended the run. He added a third goal before the half which ended 9-5 Irvine, and scored his fourth in the third period.

Goals by Alexandros Athymarytis and Joseph Shaw left LMU trailing 12-8 entering the final quarter, at which point Lions roared back into the contest on goals by Mitrovic, Athymaritis and Shaw. But the Lions were unable to get the equalizer.

LMU (1-5) takes on Fresno Pacific (1-7) at Sunnyside Aquatics Center Sept. 21 in a WWPA match, then travels to UC San Diego Sept. 25. The Tritons’ roster includes freshmen Connor McManigal (Mater Dei) and Jake Marquez (Santa Margarita).