Men's Water Polo Defeats Loyola Marymount, 6-5

Friday, November 1

Los Angeles, Calif.

TBA

USC

Loyola Marymount

Men's Water Polo Defeats Loyola Marymount, 6-5

November 01, 2002 | Men's Water Polo

Nov. 1, 2002

Los Angeles, CA (Nov. 1, 2002) -- In a contest that featured five lead changes, seventh-ranked Loyola Marymount University had a man advantage the final 13 seconds but couldn't get a shot off as fourth-ranked USC held on to a thrilling 6-5 win in men's water polo action on Friday afternoon.

In front of a crowd of 496 at the Burns Recreation and Aquatics Center, site of the 2002 NCAA Men's Water Polo National Championship, the Trojans' James Shin scored with 43 seconds remaining to give USC a 6-5 win. It was the third win of the season for the Trojans over the Lions. USC improves to 15-5 on the year and LMU drops to 11-13.

The Lions got on the board first with a goal just 42 seconds into the game by junior Tamas Szego, his 16th of the season. The goal came on the extra-man attack thanks to a kickout drawn by senior Kevin Witt. USC would answer just over a minute later on a goal by Stephen Lipinski, his 22nd on the year. LMU regained the lead when junior Ryan Chapatte scored his first of three on the day with 3:21 remaining in the first period.

The Trojans would tie the game once again on their first of two penalty shots, this one coming at the 6:36 mark of the second period by Jaraj Zatovic. Shin would score his first of the game to give USC the lead at 3-2 with 4:31 remaining. Both teams stepped up the defense until just two seconds remaining when LMU scored on Chapatte's second of the half to send the game into the lockerroom knotted at 3-3.

The lead would change once again to start the third period when USC would score on another penalty goal, this one by Gadi Hadar. Hadar's 24th goal of the season gave the Trojans a 4-3 lead just 29 seconds into the second half. Chapatte would once again answer, netting his third goal of the game and 34th of the year to tie the game at 4-4.

LMU would start the fourth period like they did the first, scoring just 37 seconds into the period to take the 5-4 lead. Freshman Endre Rex-Kiss netted the goal, his 34th of the year. The Lions would hold the lead for over four minutes until Zatovic tied the game on an extra-man goal at the 2:05 mark to set-up Shin's winner. Both goalies made crucial saves to keep their teams in the game. Lions' senior Kevin Paulsen was key throughout, making seven saves, including three in the third period. USC's Bozidar Damjanovic did not make a save until the fourth period, but made three big saves to preserve the tie late in the game.

USC will host Pacific on Saturday (Nov. 2) at noon at McDonald's Swim Stadium.

Box ScoreTeams           1       2       3       4       TotalUSC             1       2       1       2       6LMU             2       1       1       1       5Goals:USC - Jaraj Zatovic 2, James Shin 2, Gadi Hadar, Stephen LipinskiLMU - Ryan Chapatte 3, Tamas Szego, Endre Rex-KissSaves:USC - Bozidar Damjanovic - 3.LMU - Kevin Paulsen - 7.