STANFORD, Calif. - The 11th-ranked UC San Diego men's water polo team finished the 2012 Norcal Invitational splitting the second day of play, defeating 12th-ranked Western Water Polo Association opponent UC Davis, after dropping it's first match to WWPA No. 10 Loyola Marymount. The Tritons finished the tournament receiving 11th place.

The Tritons struck early, outscoring the Lions 5-4 by halftime. LMU's defense got stronger as the game unrolled, and eventually held UCSD off completely as they were unable to score in the fourth quarter. The Lions gained their first lead of the match, with a 10-6 final score.

UCSD was led by Josh Stiling with three goals. Higginson, Michalko, and Roach had a goal each.

Nick Michels earned six saves in the cage versus LMU.

Against the Aggies, the team broke out offensively in both the first and third quarters, scoring four goals in each. The Tritons took a 6-1 lead from half and nearly doubled it by the end of the match.

Both David Higginson and Stiling finished the match with three goals. Syka added two, as well as Dietrich, Friedrich, and Michalko chipping in one apiece.

Cameron Ravanbach held off the Aggies, finishing with five saves.

The UC San Diego men's water polo team will head to Whittier College for a pair of games playing the hosting Poets before matching up against Occidental both on Saturday, Sept. 22 at Slade Aquatic Center.

Game 1

UC San Diego –       2 3 1 0 = 6
Loyola Marymount – 2 2 2 4= 10

UC San Diego Goal Scorers – Stiling 3, Higginson, Michalko, Roach
Loyola Marymount Goal Scorers – Ferretti 2, Mikuzis 2, Stipanovich 2, Villarreal 2, Colton, Mitrovic

Goalie Saves – Michels 6 (UCSD), Testman 11 (LMU)

Game 2

UC San Diego – 4 2 4 1 = 11
UC Davis –        1 0 0 2 = 3
UC San Diego Scorers – Higginson 3, Stiling 3, Syka 2, Dietrich Friedrich, Michalko,
UC Davis Goal Scorers – Clapham, Meisel, Richardson
Goalie Saves – Ravanbach 5 (UCSD), Dito 3 (UCD)

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