Wolverines Go Perfect as Host of CWPA League Games

Saturday, March 7

Ann Arbor, Mich.

9:00 AM

Michigan

Grove City

3/7/2009 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Canham Natatorium)
Event: CWPA League Games
Scores: #15 Michigan 14, Grove City 1; #15 Michigan 20, Washington & Jefferson 2; #15 Michigan 19, Chatham 2; #15 Michigan 15, Penn State-Behrend 0
Records: U-M (15-8, 4-0 CWPA); Grove City (1-4, 0-1); Washington & Jefferson (0-2, 0-2); Chatham (0-2, 0-2); Penn State-Behrend (0-2, 0-2)
Next U-M Event: Friday, March 13 -- vs. Gannon, 7 p.m.; vs. Mercyhurst, 8:15 p.m. (Canham Natatorium)

Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery
Game Summaries:Game 1|Game 2|Game 3|Game 4

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 15-ranked University of Michigan water polo team cruised to four double-digit victories, downing Grove City, 14-1, Washington & Jefferson, 20-2, Chatham, 19-2, and Penn State-Behrend,15-0, on Saturday (March 7) in CWPA Western Division league play at Canham Natatorium.

Every Wolverine to appear today scored at least one goal and 18 players had multiple goals on the day. Freshman Megan Mulder(Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville) had a big day at both ends of the pool, tallying 10 points and 10 steals. Freshman Roxanne Mansfield(San Mateo, Calif./St. Francis) had 13 points, including a seven-point outburst against Chatham, and freshman Milli Brown(Rockford, Mich./Rockford) racked up 11 points . Mansfield, freshman Claire Ivry(Orinda, Calif./Miramonte), freshman Meagan Cobb(Hudsonville, Mich./Hudsonville) and sophomore Ryley Plunkett(Modesto, Calif./Johansen) all had hat tricks.

Senior Kelsey Haley(Portola Valley, Calif./Menlo) and freshmen McKenna Farrar(Orinda, Calif./Miramonte) and Tara Brigham (Baytown, Texas/Sterling) combined for the program's fourth shutout in the nightcap. Michigan's usual netminding quartet was attacking the opponent's net instead of defending the U-M cage in the finale as Farrar and freshman Morgan Turner(Mission Viejo, Calif./Trabuco Hills), who both tallied twice in the field, and senior/junior Brittany May(Santa Barbara, Calif./Santa Barbara) and Brigham all scored.

Mulder guided the Maize and Blue at both ends of the pool in the opener, tallying six points and swiping three steals against Grove City. Michigan put seven goals on the board in the first quarter, primarily using perimeter shots to build its lead. Brown and senior Sharayah Hernandez(Pico Rivera, Calif./El Rancho) also had multi-goal games against the Lady Wolverines, while senior Carrie Stover(Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer), junior Casie Kelly(Longwood, Fla./Lake Brantley) and sophomore Cara Reitz(Miami, Fla./Gulliver) had a goal and an assist each.

Senior Sarah Davila(Yorba Linda, Calif./El Dorado) did her best to get on Mount Rushmore in the second contest of the afternoon, tallying five points, including a personal best with three assists against the Presidents. Plunkett also had five points and scored the first hat trick of her career on a power-play, penalty-shot and an even-strength goal. Cobb scored the Wolverines' first three goals to account for her hat trick, while Ivry, who recorded her first career hat trick, and Brown each had a four-point showing.

Thirteen Wolverines dented the twine as they took on the newest member of the division, Chatham. Mansfield posted a hat trick and a playmaker in a seven-point showing. Ivry also earned a playmaker to go with two goals against the Cougars. The Maize and Blue netminders were busy, combining for 13 saves led by Farrar and Turner, who each had six stops.

Haley got the start against the Lions, making three saves to jumpstart the shutout bid. Farrar played a period before Brigham completed the blanking with a perfect second half. Sophomore Keller Felt(La Jolla, Calif./La Jolla) and Ivry led the way offensively in the finale, scoring twice and assisting on another. May, Brigham, Farrar and Turner all scored from the field, while five Wolverines dented the twine on more than one occasion.

Michigan will face Gannon (7 p.m.) and Mercyhurst (8:15 p.m.) for two more league contests next Friday (March 13) before hosting the Wolverine Invitational (March 14-15) at Canham Natatorium.

Contact: Ryan Sosin (734) 763-4423