STOCKTON, Calif. – Getting off to a fast start, the No. 21 Pacific women's water polo program led No. 7 LMU late in the first half but couldn't find its rhythm in the second in a 13-7 final Saturday at the Eberhardt Aquatics Center.
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The Tigers (9-7, 1-2 GCC) were up 4-2 in the first quarter and were still ahead 6-5 with under a minute left in the second. Though, LMU (17-3, 3-0 GCC) scored the final two goals of the half and turned it into a 7-0 run to leap ahead 12-6 heading into the fourth.
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Junior
Laia Marsinach Ortega, the reigning Golden Coast Conference Player of the Week winner, registered a hat trick and an assist. It came after she tallied eight goals over two games last week in wins over No. 14 UC Davis and No. 17 San Jose State.
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A pair of goals came from junior
Anna Crum. Freshman
Maria Ikonomou and
Sophie Pethers scored a goal apiece, while freshmen
Eleni Ikonomou dished out three assists.
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The game was tied 2-2 early when
Maria Ikonomou and Crum scored to put Pacific ahead 4-2 at the end of the first. After the Lions took a 5-4 lead in the second, the Tigers answered with scores from Crum and Ortega to jump back in front 6-5 with 55 seconds left.
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LMU struck twice before the first half ended to lead 7-6 at the intermission, and pulled away with a 5-0 third quarter. Pacific's final goal of the game came from Ortega with 2:09 remaining in the fourth.
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Junior
Maja Lizy Dulic played all 32 minutes in net and registered nine saves and two steals.
Pacific is now 16-14 all-time against LMU and 5-4 at home.
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It was the first of a three-game homestand for the Tigers who next host No. 23 Cal Baptist at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 22. Senior Day is slated for Thursday, March 26 at 5 p.m. against Santa Clara.
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Tigers Tickets
Tickets for upcoming events can be purchased through theÂ
PacificTigers.com tickets tab, or by calling the Box Office atÂ
209-946-2474. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for a group discount and exclusive fan experiences.
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@pacificwaterpolo) and "like" the team's official Facebook page (
Pacific Women's Water Polo).
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