Michigan
Mercyhurst
Anderson Wins No. 250 in Wolverine Sweep of CWPA Doubleheader
3/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
March 11, 2011
• Game Summaries | Notes & Quotes | Photo Gallery 
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Canham Natatorium)
Scores: #7 Michigan 16, Mercyhurst 2; #7 Michigan 19, Gannon 2
Records: U-M (14-4, 2-0 CWPA West), Mercyhurst (5-3, 0-1 CWPA West), Gannon (0-7, 0-1 CWPA West)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 12 -- vs. Grove City (Canham Natatorium), 9 a.m.; vs. Maryland (Canham Natatorium), 6 p.m.; vs. Siena (Canham Natatorium), 7:15 p.m.
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo team clinched victory No. 250 for head coach Matt Anderson, downing CWPA Western Division foes Mercyhurst, 16-2, and Gannon, 19-2, on Friday evening (March 11) inside Canham Natatorium.
Sophomore Ryanne O'Donnell (Northbrook, Ill./New Trier) tallied a career-high five goals against Gannon as part of seven-point day. Freshman Katy Feaver (San Diego, Calif./Bishop's) tallied three points in the opener and freshman Sophie Høegh (Coral Gables, Fla./Ransom Everglades) tallied her first career hat trick against the Golden Knights.
Junior Tara Brigham (Baytown, Texas/Sterling) played the second half of both contests, coming away with 11 saves, including a career-best eight stops against Mercyhurst.
The Wolverines took a 7-1 first-half lead on Mercyhurst on markers from seven different players. The Wolverines' lead swelled thanks to a three-point third for sophomore Hannah Clyde (Ann Arbor, Mich./Huron) and a trio of points in the fourth from sophomore Natalie Naruns (Los Altos, Calif./St. Francis).
Michigan jumped out to an even quicker lead, opening up an 8-0 advantage over Gannon with a seemingly unstoppable counterattack. After U-M extended its lead to 11-1, the second half became the Høegh and O'Donnell show, with the duo combining for nine points.
The Wolverines will host the first day of the Wolverine Invitational tomorrow (Saturday, March 12) beginning with Grove City at 9 a.m. followed by a pair of evening contest with No. 19-ranked Maryland at 6 p.m. and Siena at 7:15 p.m. Prior to the contest with the Terps, Michigan will honor its six-member senior class.
GAME SUMMARIES
| By Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Mercyhurst | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Michigan | 3 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
Hurst Goals: Rachel Griepsma 2.
Saves: U-M 11 (Alex Adamson 3; Tara Brigham 8); Hurst 12 (Hope Rozelle)
| By Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Gannon | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Michigan | 8 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 19 |
GAN Goals: Colleen Harriger, Bailey Gaad.
Saves: U-M 8 (Morgan Turner 5, Tara Brigham 3); GAN 1 (Janelle Bartman 0; Libbie Guina 1)
N O T E S
• Michigan head coach Matt Anderson improved to 250-93 at the helm for the Wolverines. He is currently fourth amongst U-M women's team coaches in victories, trailing only Beverly Plocki's (women's gymnastics, 1990-present) 555 wins, Carol Hutchins' (softball, 1985-present) 1,178 victories and Bitsy Ritt's (women's tennis, 1984-2006) 288 triumphs.
• Michigan improved to 68-3 all-time in CWPA league games with two victories tonight.
• Lauren Orth extended her team-best point streak to 24 games with two goals and an assist today. She had 36 goals and 24 assists during the string, which is the third-longest in program history.
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Matt Anderson
On his 250th win at Michigan ... "I did not even realize until I saw it in the weekly release. It just means that we have been successful and we have had players that have kept us being successful. It also means I have had a little bit of longevity, which is what you want when you coach at Michigan. At the end of the season, you'll look back and think wow, but to me it is just we won two games tonight and now let's move on and win some more this weekend."
On the added importance of division wins ... "We are coming off a couple weeks of training, so the girls were a little bit out of rhythm. Mercyhurst is having a very strong season so far -- their last game, they beat a team in the top 20. Fortunately, the players did not take them lightly. It is important because you want to establish yourself in the division. This year we go right into the regional, so these games help you improve your standing for that. Now every game is that much more important because you won't play these teams again in the division tournament. You could play them in the Eastern Championship, but you don't know."
On strong showings from some role players ... "It was nice to see. Natalie Naruns had a chance to use her counterattacking. Ryanne O'Donnell, I did not even realize until looking at the stat sheet that she had five goals. For her, to do that in a college game, is a nice accomplishment. Tara Brigham, for her to get some action is nice. She has been playing well lately and I thought she did well tonight and she will get another chance tomorrow. I thought Hannah Clyde did a nice job defensively and Sophie Hoegh had a good showing. The girls that got some good playing time have been chomping at the bit. They really showed me some things; it was good to see."
Contact: Ryan Sosin (734) 763-4423
