Oct. 17, 2002

Los Angeles, CA (Oct. 17, 2002) --The seventh-ranked Loyola Marymount University men's water polo team, playing in their 17th consecutive game against an opponent ranked in the top-20 nationally, fell to the second-ranked UC Irvine Anteaters 11-7 at the Burns Recreation and Aquatics Center on Thursday afternoon.

UC Irvine jumped to a 7-4 lead at halftime and never let go as junior Garrett Gentry scored four goals in the first half to help UC Irvine improve to 10-4 on the season. The Lions were paced by junior Ryan Chapatte, who recorded his third hat-trick of the season. The Lions drop to 8-11 on the season.

The first period was all offense. UC Irvine went up early, 2-0, thanks to a goal by Gentry at the 5:48 mark and then Dreason Barry's first of two goals at the 5:00 mark. The Lions cut the lead in half with junior Tamas Szego's first of the game. The Anteaters would score two consecutive goals, Gentry's second at 3:51 and senior Jeff Powers with his first of three with 1:37 remaining to close the period. The Lions would cut the lead in half once again on freshman Endre Rex-Kiss' first of two goals with 1:21 remaining.

The first period was all Irvine needed as they held outscored the Lions by one goal in the second and third quarters to build the four-goal lead. UC Irvine hurt the Lions' chances with a goal just nine seconds left in the first half by Phil Garcia and then a goal with no time left in the third quarter by Dan Noon.

The Lions would play UC Irvine even in the fourth quarter, getting goals by Chapatte and Rex-Kiss.

LMU will host a doubleheader on Saturday, taking on Whittier at 11:00 a.m. and then Pomona at 1:00 p.m. at the Burns Recreation and Aquatics Center.

Box Score
UC Irvine		4	3	2	2	--	11
LMU		2	2	1	2	--	7
Goals:
UCI - Garrett Gentry 4, Jeff Powers 3, Dreason Barry 2, Dan Noon, Phil Garcia
LMU - Ryan Chapatte 3, Endre Rex-Kiss 2, Tamas Szego 2
Saves:
UCI - Doug Finfrock 8
LMU - Kevin Paulsen 5

-GO LIONS-