Dec. 2, 2001

PALO ALTO, Calif. - Senior Adam Moore (Sinking Spring, Pa.) scored twice, but it was not enough as the University of Massachusetts men's water polo team fell to Loyola Marymount, 14-6, this afternoon in the NCAA third-place game held at the Avery Aquatic Center on the campus of Stanford University.

Senior Evan Lutz (Laguna Beach, Calif.) scored for the Minutemen 40 seconds into the game, but LMU then scored the next six goals before Moore ended the drought by capitalizing on a penalty shot at the 5:30 mark of the second period, making the score 6-2.

After two more Lion goals, senior Mike Foley (Tustin, Calif.) received a pass from senior Carlos Ramos (Anasco, Puerto Rico) and beat Lion goalie Kevin Paulson making it an 8-3 game. The teams then traded goals for the remainder of the half with Ramos and Moore netting scores for the Minutemen. LMU led 11-5 at halftime, tying the most goals that UMass has surrendered this season.

Ramos recorded the only score for the Minutemen in the second half as Paulson stopped some tough shots and prevented the Minutemen from getting back into the game.

"I am very pleased with the season that we had," said head coach Russ Yarworth. "We showed yesterday what UMass water polo is all about."

"It is sad that this is how we ended our season," said senior Greg Trayer (Reading, Pa.). "Still, for the seven of us who played our final game, it was a great way to go out. We won the Eastern Championship and had a great season. We were one of the last four teams remaining in the country."

Senior J.R. VanderWall (Rockford, Mich.) made seven saves in net for the Minutemen after his 15 save performance yesterday against Stanford. Paulson stopped 10 shots for the Lions.

LMU senior Kyle Witt scored a game-high four goals, while his brother Kevin chipped in with three of his own.

The Minutemen conclude the season at 28-7, their 10th consecutive 20-win season.

Stanford and UCLA will play for the National Championship this afternoon at 5:30 p.m. EST.