Sept. 16, 2007

MORAGA, Calif. - Senior driver Nick Arrigo scored three goals while defender Matt MacLachlan added two as No. 8 UC Davis defeated No. 11 Loyola Marymount, 7-5, in Sunday's consolation semifinal round of the Northern California Open men's collegiate water polo tournament, hosted by California. The Aggies followed up that win with a 13-7 victory over 14th-ranked UC San Diego in the tournament's ninth-place game.

UC Davis improves to 6-4 for the season and remains unbeaten against Western Water Polo Association teams.

Arrigo and juniors Adam Bennett and Paul Wilson each scored three goals against the Tritons. Wilson's output represents his first career hat trick. The 6-foot-2 hole setter had scored three goals in each of his first two seasons. Joseph Smith, Aaron Salit, Adam Lindsay and MacLachlan also scored against the Tritons.

UC Davis held a 4-1 halftime lead against LMU, but saw that margin diminish to a single goal after three quarters of play. Wilson and junior Adam Lindsay helped round out the scoring output for the Aggies, while freshman driver Andrew Aki led the Lions with a pair of goals.

The games, held at Miramonte High School's Bill Brown Aquatics Center, mark the second time UC Davis has defeated its top two WWPA rivals during the 2007 season. UCSD and LMU, selected as the conference's top two teams in the preseason, each fell to the Aggies at the Triton Invitational two weeks ago.

UC Davis returns to action against four WWPA leaguemates at the UC Santa Cruz Slugfest tournament on September 22.

GOALS - LMU: Andrew Aki 2, Ryan Fair 1, Mark Milovic 1, Tibor Forai 1. UC Davis: Nick Arrigo 3, Matt MacLachlan 2, Paul Wilson 1, Adam Lindsay 1.

GOALIE SAVES - LMU: John Prunckle 2. UC Davis: Mike McGee 3.

GOALS - UCSD: Daniel Garcia 3, Jeff Hunt 2, Benjamin Miller 1, Sean Roberts 1. UC Davis: Adam Bennett 3, Nick Arrigo 3, Paul Wilson 3, Joseph Smith 1, Aaron Salit 1, Adam Lindsay 1, Matt MacLachlan 1.

GOALIE SAVES - UCSD: Adam Rule 2, Adam Stemler 1. UC Davis: Mike McGee 6.