Michigan
Loyola Marymount
Wolverines Fall to Lions Despite Armstrong's 16 Saves
3/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite a career-high six points by Sheetal Narsai (Commerce, Calif./Bell Gardens HS) on three goals and three assists and a season-high 16 saves by Betsey Armstrong (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron HS), the No. 11 University of Michigan women's water polo team dropped an 8-7 decision to No. 7 Loyola Marymount on Saturday (March 19) at Canham Natatorium.
Michigan trailed 4-2 in the second quarter but was able to come back and take a 5-4 lead heading into the final period. The Wolverines, however, were unable to hold on, giving up four goals in the fourth quarter to fall behind by one, 8-7, with one minute to play. Michigan had two chances to tie the game in the final minute of play, but a shot by Megan Hausmann (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS) with 48 seconds to play was deflected high by LMU goalkeeper Rachel Riddell and the Wolverines turned the ball over on the final possession of the game.
Loyola Marymount took a quick 1-0 lead with a counterattack goal by Katie Hicks with 3:51 remaining in the first quarter. The Lions then increased their lead to 2-0 on a backhand shot from two meters, but the Wolverines answered with a four-meter penalty goal by Narsai to make the score 2-1 after one period of play.
LMU opened up a three-goal lead, 4-1, with just under three minutes to play in the first half after scoring two quick goals to start the second quarter. Once again, however, Michigan was able to find a goal in the final minute of the stanza to close the gap to 4-2 after 14 minutes of play. After the Wolverines earned an ejection on Loyola, Kristin Hoogenboom (Portland, Ore./Sunset HS) found Narsai with a crossing pass on the weak side of the LMU defense. Narsai sent a skip shot just inside the left post for the goal.
Michgian controlled the entire third period, outscoring the Lions 3-0 in the frame to take a 5-4 lead into the fourth quarter. Erin Brown (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's HS) started the run with a power-play goal on the opening possession of the second half. After drawing an ejection on Loyola, Brown received a pass from Narsai at the point and sent a shot to the left side of the cage. The shot was deflected by the LMU defense but still found the back of the net for the goal.
With 3:18 remaining in the third quarter, Michigan tied the game at 4-4 with a six-on-five goal from Jo Antonsen (Agoura Hills, Calif./Agoura HS), and then U-M took its first lead of the game at 1:55 on another power-play goal, this time from Hoogenboom. Brown assisted on both goals.
The Lions had a chance to tie the game in the final minute of the third quarter when Michigan was whistled for back-to-back ejections. After killing the first penalty, Geraldine Hazlett (Modesto, Calif./Johansen) deflected a pass with 15 seconds to play to help the Wolverines run out the clock on the quarter.
Michigan pushed its lead to 6-4 with its fifth power-play goal of the game with 5:13 remaining. Antonsen found Narsai just five meters from the net for a quick shot to the right side of the cage. LMU, however, countered with a pair of goals on its next two possessions to tie the game at 6-6 with 3:55 left in the game.
After a Michigan timeout at 3:06, the Wolverines regained its one-goal lead, 7-6, on a backhand shot by Shana Welch (Larksville, Pa./Wyoming Valley West HS) from four meters out that slipped just inside the left post. The Lions answered with a pair of skip-shot goals by Rossana Tomiuk at 2:34 and 1:27 to take an 8-7 lead and close out the game.
The Wolverines will return to the pool on Sunday (March 20) when they take on Cal Lutheran at noon in Canham Natatorium. Prior to the game, Michigan will honor its seven seniors in their final regular-season home appearance.
GAME SUMMARY
| Score by Periods | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Loyola Marymount | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 8 |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
Scoring
Loyola Marymount Goals: Rossana Tomiuk 3, Christine Reominson 2, Katie Hicks 2, Stacia Peterson. Michigan Goals: Sheetal Narsai 3, Jo Antonsen, Erin Brown, Shana Welch, Kristin Hoogenboom. Ejections: LMU 12, U-M 9.
Contact: Paul Dickerson (734) 763-4423
