Lions Have a Tough Day in Water Polo

Loyola Marymount played the best and one of the worst of the 16 teams entered in the 49er Invitational water polo tournament Saturday in Long Beach, but the result was losses in both matches.

The Lions opened by losing to California, 16-9. The Bears, ranked first in the nation and the defending NCAA champions, took a 7-1 first quarter lead and led comfortably for the rest of the game as Loyola goalie Chad Roghair made only one save. Cory Puentes and Charlie Wallace each had three goals for the Lions.

Relegated to the consolation bracket, Loyola then lost to UC Santa Barbara, 16-10. The Lions again got into a quick deficit, trailing, 5-1, after a quarter. But they cut the deficit to 8-5 at halftime.

The Gauchos (7-14) outscored Loyola, 5-1, in the third quarter, putting the game away. Charlie Wallace was the Lions’ high scorer with four goals.

Loyola (8-12) continues consolation bracket play at 8 a.m. today against Claremont-Mudd at Cal State Long Beach.