Michigan
USA Academy (ex)
Wolverines Split Two Games to Start Collegiate Cup
11/5/2016 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
» Freshman Maddy Steere and sophomore Julia Sellers each scored four goals on the day.
» Junior Caroline Anderson had two goals and three assists against USA Academy.
» Freshman goalkeeper Heidi Ritner recorded 16 saves for Michigan while also playing in two games with the USA Youth National Team.
Site: Palo Alto, Calif. (Avery Aquatic Center)
Event: USA Water Polo Collegiate Cup (Day 1)
Scores: Michigan 10, USA Academy 7 (exhibition); UCLA 15, Michigan 4 (exhibition)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Nov. 6 -- vs. USA Youth National Team (Palo Alto, Calif.), 8 a.m. PST
PALO ALTO, Calif. -- The University of Michigan water polo team took down USA Academy, 10-7, before falling short against UCLA, 15-4, on day one of the USA Water Polo Collegiate Cup on Saturday (Nov. 5) at the Avery Aquatic Center.
It was a great opportunity for Team 17 to play together for the first time as they looked to replace three starters from last season's NCAA fourth-place squad. The team battled for three quarters with USA Academy before putting it away with a strong defensive effort late. Then U-M squared off with UCLA and missed chances early that allowed the Bruins to jump out to a large lead.
Freshman Maddy Steere, who trained with the Australia National Team leading up to the 2016 Rio Olympics, tallied four goals and one assist on the day. Sophomore Julia Sellers showed some great improvement as a scoring threat with four goals and one assist as well. Freshman goalkeeper Heidi Ritner made 16 saves in the two games for the Wolverines.
"It is always great after practicing day after day to finally play some games," said Sellers. "It reminds you of what you are working for. We were a little rusty, but that is to be expected. I am looking forward to a great season with some of my closest friends."
What was even more impressive was Ritner and Michigan head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi each pulled double duty. Leonardi is the head coach of the USA Youth National Team, while Ritner is a goalkeeper for the team. Ritner played in an impressive four games on the day, leading the Youth National Team to a 16-1 victory over the UC Davis Blue team before falling to defending national champion USC, 11-6.
Game 1: Michigan 10, USA Academy 7
In its first game since the team came together in September, the Wolverines were looking to gain some game experience. Through the first quarter, Michigan and the USA Academy exchanged goals. U-M got on the board with a five-meter penalty shot converted by Sellers, who also assisted on the next goal.
It was 4-3 USA Academy when the Wolverines went on a 3-0 run with goals by Kim Johnson and Caroline Anderson and a five-meter penalty score from Steere.
The second half started with a 3-0 USA Academy run, but that ended the scoring for the opposition as Michigan's defense tightened up and earned a shutout in the fourth quarter.
Anderson finished the game with an impressive two goals, three assists and two steals. Four players tallied two goals as Steere, senior captain Allison Skaggs and Sellers all contributed to the multi-goal effort. Meanwhile, Ritner was unbeatable in the cage late with three of her nine saves in the fourth period.
Game 2: UCLA 15, Michigan 4
Featuring members of the USA Olympic team, UCLA showed its stacked roster in a 15-4 win over U-M in the second game of the day.
The Bruins jumped on Michigan early with the first five goals of the game, including four in the first period. U-M had three early 6-on-5 opportunities it was unable to convert.
The Wolverines never game up as Sellers scored twice in the second quarter to make it 8-2 at halftime. Steere picked up two goals as well in the second half, but the Bruins were too strong and finished the game with a 15-4 victory.
Michigan will have two more games remaining in the Collegiate Cup. The Wolverines will start by facing off against the USA Youth National Team featuring Leonardi and Ritner at 8 a.m. PST and then will take on Cal at 11:30 a.m. PST. U-M will be playing for places 4-6 on Sunday (Nov. 6).
