Nov. 1, 2008

DAVIS, Calif. - Senior utility Julien Lormant converted a pair of 6-on-5 goals as part of a run of four answered scores as No. 5 Loyola Marymount posted an 8-4 win over No. 11 UC Davis in a rainy Western Water Polo Association men's game at Schaal Aquatics Center Saturday afternoon.

The Aggies move to 9-13 for the season. The Lions improve to 15-8 overall.

Senior Adam Bennett scored two goals for UC Davis, while senior Danny Driscoll and freshman Luke Collins each added one. Redshirt freshman Kevin Peat recorded eight saves and a steal in defense of the Aggie cage. Driver Edgaras Asajavicius also had two goals for LMU, while four other Lions split up the remaining four goals.

The contest was characterized by its physical nature: the two teams combined for 25 exclusions, including two LMU players who received game exclusions. Additionally, a total five players earned the maximum three kickouts in the game.

As such, all goals in the opening quarter came on 6-on-5 chances. The Aggies struck first with Bennett's conversion at the 5:23 mark, but Lormant hit both of his goals during the remainder of the period to ignite LMU's scoring run. He converted an entry pass from Tibor Forai at 5:01 to tie the score, then later completed a counterattack 6-on-5 opportunity at the first-quarter buzzer.

Senior Tim Hummel extended the Lion's streak to 4-1 with a successful lob early in the second period, then each team defended against a pair of power plays during the middle portions of the frame. Driscoll ended the scoring drought for UC Davis by hitting an outside shot at the 1:29 mark, bringing the tally to 4-2.

The Aggies picked up an opportunity to tie the score soon after Driscoll's goal. Junior hole setter Brian Benedetti was charged with a brutality call against UC Davis senior Adam Lindsay, sending Bennett to the five-meter line for a penalty shot. Bennett converted his chance, cutting the score to 4-3, then the Aggies regained possession with a man-up opportunity. UC Davis was unable to convert the 6-on-5 as LMU goalie Andy Stevens picked up a steal at two meters to end the threat.

The Lions held their 4-3 edge at the halftime break, then extended the lead to 5-3 on Tim Heafner's successful man-up goal. Peat kept UC Davis in the contest with two more key saves in the third period, but the Aggies were unable to cut into the lead.

Asajavicius scored both of his goals in the fourth quarter to help LMU protect its lead en route to the victory.

UC Davis returns to action on Friday with a home WWPA game against UC San Diego.

GOALS - LMU: Julien Lormant 2, Edgaras Asajavicius 2, Ryan Fair 1, Tim Hummel 1, Tibor Forai 1, Tim Heafner 1. UC Davis: Adam Bennett 2, Danny Driscoll 1, Luke Collins 1

GOALIE SAVES - LMU: Andy Stevens 9 (32:00). UC Davis: Kevin Peat 8 (32:00).

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