SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- No. 9 Loyola Marymount used dominate bookend quarters to claim a convincing 17-11 victory over No. 21 San Diego State at the Aztec Aquaplex in Golden Coast Conference action Saturday. The win clinches a share of the Lions' second straight GCC regular season title. They will look for the outright crown when they host No. 25 California Baptist in the teams' GCC finale Thursday.

The win keeps the Lions (16-11, 6-0) perfect in GCC play this season and is their 14th straight win in conference regular season play. The Lions went 7-0 in regular season play last season to win the title and last lost on Apr. 1, 2023 to No. 9 Fresno State, 10-7. Leading the way for LMU was Ruth Arino Ruiz and Yanah Gerber, who combined for nine goals.

Loyola Marymount started strong, dominating the first period with seven goals, while the Aztecs managed just three. This early lead set the tone as the Lions kept San Diego State (14-12, 4-3) at arms length. Megan Holcomb led the Aztecs with three goals.

As the second period progressed, LMU maintained their momentum, adding four more goals to their tally. In contrast, San Diego State attempted to close the gap by scoring two goals, led by Sydney Gish, but it wasn't enough to shift the game's direction.

SDSU found their rhythm in the third and early fourth period. They outscored the Lions 5-2 in the third and started the fourth matching the Lions with a goal. They managed to cut the lead to three, 14-11, in the fourth quarter. However, LMU responded with three straight to close the game. They outscored the Aztecs 11-4 combined in the first and fourth quarters.