Michigan Perfect on Day Two of CWPA League Games

Sunday, March 9

North East, Pa.

9:00 AM

Michigan

Mercyhurst

3/9/2008 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo

Sites: North East, Pa. (North East Aquatic Center); Erie, Pa. (Carneval Athletic Pavilion); Erie, Pa. (Junker Center)
Event: CWPA League Games
Scores: #12 Michigan 15, Mercyhurst 6; #12 Michigan 19, Gannon 7; #12 Michigan 17, Penn State-Behrend 3
Records: U-M (17-9, 5-0 CWPA)
Next U-M Event: Sat.-Sun., March15-16 -- Wolverine Invitational (Canham Natatorium)

ERIE, Pa. -- The 12th-ranked University of Michigan water polo team wrapped up a perfect weekend with three wins at the CWPA League Games on Sunday (March 8). The Wolverines stacked up the trio of victories by topping Mercyhurst, 15-6, Gannon, 19-7, and Penn State-Behrend, 17-3.

Sophomore Terri Bukofzer(Vernon Hills, Ill./Stevenson) made four saves in net and scored three goals in the field and had nine steals on the day. Freshman Morgan Rosentreter(Okemos, Mich./Okemos) netted a hat trick against Penn State-Behrend and had four blocks in22 minutes at goalkeeper. Junior Brittany May(Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara) and sophomoreKimberly Gero(Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) also saw time in goal, making four saves apiece. Gero, playing in the field against the Lions, scored twice and three assists.

Junior Julie Hyrne(Sunnyvale, Calif./Archbishop Mitty), sophomore Leah Robertson(Newport Beach, Calif./Newport Harbor) scored three times against Mercyhurst. Freshman Cara Reitz(Miami, Fla./Gulliver) scored four times in the middle game as part of a five goal afternoon. Freshman Lauren Orth(Poway, Calif./Poway) had her second three goal, three assist game of the weekend against Gannon.

Michigan's attempts to build an early lead in the day's first match were met by fierce resistance from Mercyhurst. After U-M jumped out to a 4-1 lead in the opening frame, the Lakers responded with three second period markers to trim the margin to one goal, 5-4, at the break.

A Maize and Blue outburst third stanza separated the two teams and gave the Wolverines an easy path to victory. In the first two minutes after half-time, U-M would hit the back of the net five times. Robertson and Hyrne each scored twice in the flurry as part of hat tricks compiled on third period markers alone. Carrie Frost(Saline, Mich./Saline), Keeley and Bukofzer added markers as Michigan outscored Mercyhurst 9-1 in the frame to account for much of the margin of victory.

The Wolverines second opponent, Gannon, fell behind early on five goals in the final four minutes of the first period. Keeley created space at two meters, turning out to make a shot that would give Michigan a 3-0 lead and spark another scoring spree. Reitz continued with a marker from five meters on the first possession of the second frame to give the Maize and Blue a 13-5 lead at the half.

The third and fourth periods saw an increased presence of both teams' defenses, but Michigan still managed to outscore the Golden Knights, 6-2. Bukofzer and Orth spearheaded the effort with three and two steals, respectively. Rosentreter made two saves in the second half, taking over the netminding duties from May and Gero who played a quarter each.

The Wolverines went with an unorthodox line-up against Penn State, going with Bukofzer and senior Michelle Keeley(Rockford, Mich./Rockford) in the cage and giving Gero and Rosentreter time in the field. Bukofzer, making her third appearance as a goalkeeper for U-M, made four saves in three periods before yielding to Keeley who made two saves in her second career game in net. Rosentreter scored her first collegiate goal before adding two more to net her first career hat trick. Gero added three assists to a pair of goals in the contest.

Michigan will host the Wolverine Invitational next Saturday and Sunday (March 15-16) at Canham Natatorium.

N O T E S

For the second time this weekend, sophomore Terri Bukofzer tied a personal-best with two goals in a contest. She hit the back of the cage twice against Mercyhurst.

Freshman Morgan Rosentreter scored her first collegiate goal as part of a hat trick against Penn State-Behrend.

Freshman Cara Reitz scored a career-high four goals against Gannon. Her previous best was three against George Washington (Feb. 16). Her four points also matched her highest output.

Junior Carrie Frost scored the 75th goal of her career against Gannon, moving her into a three-way tie for ninth all-time. She has equaled the totals of Mary Chatigny and Jo Antonsen (2002-05).

Sophomore Leah Robertson and freshman Alison Mantel became the first Wolverines to reach 50 points this season. Robertson leads the team with 52 points from 30 goals and 22 assists. Mantel has 50 points on 32 goals and 18 assists.

With four goals on the day, sophomore Leah Robertson has equaled her goal total of a year ago with 30 markers.

Freshman Lauren Orth matched her day old personal-bests in goals (3), assists (3) and points (6) against Gannon.

GAME SUMMARIES