LOS ANGELES, Calif. - No. 12 UC Irvine women's water polo team fell to No. 9 LMU, 7-9, on Friday night at Burns Aquatic Center. 

The 'Eaters and the Lions traded goals to start the first quarter, leaving the game tied 2-2 at the 5:54 mark. LMU netted another before UCI found the equalizer to tie it up again, 3-all. The Lions netted the final two of the quarter to pull ahead, 5-3. The Anteaters went on a 3-0 run in the second quarter to take the lead, 6-5, at the end of the half. UCI and LMU each netted two in the third to leave the 'Eaters up, 7-6, heading into the fourth. The Lions outscored the 'Eaters, 3-0, in the final frame to steal the 9-7 win. 

BY THE NUMBERS: Freshman Michelle Urkov led the 'Eaters with three goals. 

Lauren Hett, Sara Naulty, Madi O'Hara, and Vivian Bailey each added a tally. 

Carolina Magano led the Lions with three goals. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: Michelle Urkov kicked off the scoring at the 7:08 mark before the Lions found the equalizer to tie the game up 1-1 at the 6:44 mark. Urkov found the back of the net again at the 6:19 mark before LMU netted two in a row to take the lead, 3-2. Sara Naulty converted on the man advantage (3:50) before the Lions netted the final two of the period to increase their lead, 5-3, at the horn. 

The 'Eaters outscored the Lions, 3-0, in the second period to take a 6-5 lead. Urkov netted the first and completed the hat trick at the 6:37 mark before Vivian Bailey tied it up, 5-5, at the 5:04 mark. Lauren Hett netted the final goal of the period (1:10) to give the 'Eaters the lead at the half. 

Madi O'Hara found the back of the net at the 5:18 mark to increase the lead, 7-5. The Lions capitalized on a power play to pull within one, 7-6, at the end of the third. 

The Lions netted three unanswered goals in the final frame to steal the 9-7 win. 

UP NEXT: The 'Eaters are back in action tomorrow, Feb. 6, at 1 p.m. as they take on No. 2 UCLA at Spieker Aquatics Center.