With David Carrasco scoring six goals in the first half, the Loyola Marymount University men’s water polo team defeated the U.S. Naval Academy 16-9 Oct. 6 at Burns Center.
Carrasco scored in the first two minutes of the match, then twice more after Navy (11-7) tied the score. Two goals by Jonny Rimlinger gave LMU a 5-1 advantage after one quarter.
After Navy cut the lead by one, Alexandros Athymaritis — earlier named Western Water Polo Association Player of the Week — scored the first of his three goals of the match. Before the half ended, Luke Chandler scored once and Carrasco (who also had four assists) tallied three more times for a commanding 11-5 lead.
In the second half, Daniel Roth scored twice and Athymaritis, Rimlinger, and Joseph Cavazos once each, as the Lions maintained control, running their record to 6-7. Former Damien star Zach Luci scored a goal for Navy.
Their strong recent showing against powerful competitions has moved the Lions in tenth place nationally as they begin a stretch of three straight WWPA conference matches on Oct. 12, hosting UC San Diego at Burns Center (1 p.m.).
