LOS ANGELES — Following up his five-goal performance in the opening match of the day, senior
Nir Gross set a new career high with six goals while
Eric Martel added a career-high five scores in the nightcap, helping No. 9 UC Davis shade No. 13 Loyola Marymount on Saturday evening at the Burns Aquatics Center on the LMU campus.
The Aggies improved to 7-5 overall on the year and advanced to the defacto consolation championship at the 2019 MPSF Invitational against another Western Water Polo Association rival in the ninth-place game against No. 11 UC San Diego on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m.
UC Davis' 18 goals marked the second-highest total of the year, trailing only the 22 scores in the season opener against Chapman at the Triton Invitational. The 16 goals allowed were also tied for the most surrendered by the Aggies' defense this season, matching the 16 allowed to then-No. 1 Stanford on Sept. 21.
Saturday's result also marked the second Aggie victory over LMU this season after they edged the Lions, 14-13, to close out the Triton Invitational.
Both Gross, who tied his then-career high with five goals earlier in the day in the win over Air Force, and Martel were brutally efficient as the former scored his six goals on just seven shots, while the latter tied his career best on only six attempts in the win.
Neither team led by more than three in the contest, but it was Gross' sixth goal of the day at the 58 second mark of the third that broke a 12-all tie and put the Aggies in front for good. Martel followed for a 14-12 lead, but the Aggies led by just one at the end of three, setting up a tense fourth.
Senior
Max Somple and junior
Jack Stafford added back-to-back goals to start the fourth as UC Davis attempted to silence the homestanding crowd, and led 17-14 on another goal by Martel with 5:09 to play. The Lions were undaunted, however, rallying back once again on goals by Jonny Rimlinger and Luke Chandler to make it a one-score game once again.
Goalkeeper
Jonah Addington, who finished with 11 saves in the game, then came up big, denying Daniel Roth and the Aggies scored in transition, as
Ian Ambidge put home his first of the contest for the final 18-16 advantage.
George Kuesis then knocked down a shot attempt, and Addington stonewalled a 6-on-5 opportunity with less than a minute remaining. Both teams missed attempts on their next trips down the pool and the Lions could not capitalize on a kick-out with five seconds remaining as time expired.
#9 UC DAVIS 18, #13 LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 16
LMU — 2-6-5-3—16
UCD — 5-5-4-4—18
LMU GOALS: Alexandros Athymaritis 4, Jonny Rimlinger 3, Blazo Mitrovic 3, Daniel Roth 2, Luke Chandler 2, Austin Clark 1, Matthew Knoedler 1,
UC DAVIS GOALS: Nir Gross 6,
Eric Martel 5,
Holden Tamblyn 2,
Keenan Anderson 1,
Ian Ambidge 1,
Jack Stafford 1,
Max Somple 1,
Michael Plastino 1
SAVES: Jonah Addington (UCD) - 11; Zach Zemliak (LMU) - 6, Jon Lien (LMU) - 5
ABOUT UC DAVIS
Providing a small-town community feel while providing a world-class academic experience, UC Davis is home to more than 37,000 students and centrally located between San Francisco, Lake Tahoe, and the Napa Valley. The No. 5-ranked public university in the nation according to the Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education, and among the top 15 public universities nationwide according to U.S. News and World Report, UC Davis offers nearly 100 graduate programs and more than 100 academic majors across four colleges and six professional schools, ranking among the world and nation's best in numerous disciplines, including veterinary science, agriculture, and plant and animal programs.
AGGIE EVO
Launched in 2017-18, the Aggie EVO System is UC Davis Athletics' investment in the primary mission of preparing student-athletes for a successful "launch" after graduation. Thanks to a collaboration of alumni, university resources, corporate partners, coaches and Student-Athlete Outcomes staff, all Aggies are guided over four years to acquire the skills, knowledge, opportunities and tools to better know and navigate the "World of Work" after graduating from UC Davis. Follow the Aggie EVO system on Twitter and Instagram at @AggieEVO.
MARYA WELCH INITIATIVE
Named after the former physical education instructor, coach and Dean of Women who founded women's sports on the campus 25 years before the passage of Title IX, the Marya Welch Initiative for Women's Athletics provides comprehensive support for UC Davis' 16 women's athletics programs. Through the support of the Marya Welch Initiative and its group members, student-athletes are provided the best possible opportunity to succeed inside the classroom, and in competition, through special project gifts and by increasing visibility and participation at women's events throughout the year. All gifts to the Marya Welch Initiative are matched 1:1, doubling the impact on our women's programs. Visit https://give.ucdavis.edu/ATHG/324041 for more information.
