Nov. 18, 2007

USAFA, Colo. - Tim Heafner's goal with less than two minutes remaining lifted 12th-ranked Loyola Marymount to a 7-6 upset of ninth-ranked and top-seeded UC Davis in the title game of the Western Water Polo Association Championships at the Air Force Academy's Cadet Natatorium Sunday.

The Aggies, who had not lost to the Lions in three previous matchups in 2007, finish the season with a 22-7 record.

Neither team led by more than one goal at any point during the tightly battled contest. LMU held a 4-3 lead after the first period, then UC Davis tied it to go to halftime at 4-4. The Aggies pulled ahead by a 6-5 advantage through three quarters but were held scoreless in the fourth.

Six different Aggies scored one goal each in the loss: seniors Nick Arrigo and Joseph Smith, juniors Paul Wilson, Adam Bennett and Grant Muenter; and freshman Walter Eggert. Sophomore Ryan Fair led the Lions with two goals.

A total of four UC Davis players earned all-tournament honors. Arrigo and senior goalkeeper Mike McGee made the first team, while Bennett and senior Matt MacLachlan captured second-team honors. This is the first season in which the WWPA honored separate all-conference and all-tournament squads.

With the victory, LMU earns the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championships, held at Stanford on December 1-2.

All-WWPA Tournament Team
First Team
Mike McGee, Sr., GK, UC Davis
Nick Arrigo, Sr., Utility, UC Davis
Tibor Forai, Fr., Driver, Loyola Marymount
Clark Condict, Sr., Utility, Air Force
Justin Berry, Sr., 2-Meter, Air Force
Tommy Hendrickson, Jr., Driver, Santa Clara
Daniel Garcia, So., 2-Meter, UC San Diego

Second Team
Andy Stevens, R-Fr., GK, Loyola Marymount
Matt MacLachlan, Sr., Utility, UC Davis
Julien Lormant, Jr., Utility, Loyola Marymount
Mark Milovic, Jr., Driver, Loyola Marymount
Alex Churnside, So., 2-Meter, Air Force
Ryan Hall, Sr., Center, Redlands
Adam Bennett, Jr., Utility, UC Davis

Tournament MVP: Tibor Forai, Loyola Marymount