LOS ANGELES – The 14th-ranked UC San Diego men's water polo team suffered its first loss in Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) play on the road against No. 18 Loyola Marymount, 12-6, Saturday at Burns Aquatics Center.
With the loss the Tritons fall to 10-11 overall and 3-1 in the conference. LMU improves to 8-10 and 2-1 in the WWPA.
The Lions jumped out to an early 3-1 lead to start the game. Late in the opening quarter, senior utility Chase Cockerill was able to score twice on back-to-back possessions, the latter coming on a five-meter penalty shot, to tie the game. LMU ended the first period with two quick goals to take a two-score advantage.
The two teams struggled offensively for the majority of the second frame until Jon Beck and Milutin Mitrovic hit two straight goals for the Lions. Senior two-meter Tiki Toplak put one away shortly afterwards, with 54 seconds remaining, as UCSD trailed 7-4 at halftime.
The Tritons allowed four goals in the third quarter as LMU started to pull away. UCSD got two scores in the period, including one from Cockerill with 1:08 to complete his hat trick.
The Tritons couldn't muster anything up in the fourth frame, being shut out by the Lions, as UCSD fell by six.
Cockerill led the Tritons with three goals and Toplak added two. Goalie Jack Turner compiled nine saves.
Seven different Lions scored with Milutin Mitrovic leading the way with three. Goalie Kirk Wilenius amassed 14 saves.
The Tritons' next contest will on Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. when they host Santa Clara in WWPA action.
BOX SCORE
UCSD 3 1 2 0 - 6
LMU 5 2 4 1 - 12
Goals
UCSD: Chase Cockerill 3, Tiki Toplak 2, Jacob Castro 1
LMU: Milutin Mitrovic 3, Matt Cuozzo 2, Liam Jennis 2, Tyler Testman 2, Vuk Cvetkovic 1, Jon Beck 1, Cory McGee 1
Saves
UCSD: Jack Turner 9
LMU: Kirk Wilenius 14
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