LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Cal State Fullerton men's water polo fought hard in a 12-9 loss to Loyola Marymount University on Wednesday night. The Titans were led by Jacob Hatch and Francisco Paredes who contributed two goals each.
Paredes beat the Lions to the board after connecting Bende Aubeli's pass to give the Titans a 1-0 lead at the 5:45 mark.
Titans strike first ��#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/lvyyGcvbv2
— Titans Men's & Women's Water Polo (@Fullerton_WP) September 7, 2023
Two penalty fouls allowed LMU to take a 2-1 lead from the five-meter mark with four minutes remaining in the first quarter. They would remain in the lead for the remainder of the game but were followed closely by the Titans.
Jacob Hatch, Togan Ozbek and Paredes added three power-play goals in the second quarter, cutting LMU's lead to 6-4. At the half, LMU snagged a 7-4 lead over the Titans, who returned from the break continuing to apply pressure on LMU's defense.
Bende Aubeli sent a fastball under the arms of a Lions defender to make it a 7-5 game.
Under and In ☄️
— Titans Men's & Women's Water Polo (@Fullerton_WP) September 7, 2023
Aubeli keeps the battle within two goals. #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/cgjRA0cx3B
Julian Nichols contributed a power-play goal in the third quarter to remain two goals behind the Lions, 8-6. The Lions got a ball past Garrett Henderson for a 9-6 lead, but Dominic Hernandez returned the favor at the start of the fourth quarter.
Hatch scored his second power-play goal of the game on a recovery pass that he rotated on and buried with 5:30 left in the fourth quarter.
Hatch with the recovery!!
— Titans Men's & Women's Water Polo (@Fullerton_WP) September 7, 2023
Lions: 10
Titans: 8#TusksUp pic.twitter.com/RLjvjLE1nF
Nico D'Angelo scored on an even-strength play to keep the Titans down by two (11-9), but was not enough to overtake the Lions who swam in their 12th goal with eight seconds remaining.
Nico D'Angelo finds the corner!!
— Titans Men's & Women's Water Polo (@Fullerton_WP) September 7, 2023
Titans trail 11-9 #TusksUp pic.twitter.com/sebHikl9yF
Fullerton will play in the Inland Empire Classic at the University of La Verne on Saturday, Sept. 9. They take on La Verne at 9:00 a.m. and Westcliff at 3:30 p.m.
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