Michigan
Saint Francis (Pa.)
Wolverines Start CWPA Tournament with Big Win
4/28/2017 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
» Michigan won its first-round CWPA game for 16th straight year, besting Saint Francis (Pa.), 22-2, in the CWPA quarterfinals.
» Caroline Anderson became the first Michigan player with 100 or more points in three different seasons.
» Rachel Sodokoff made her collegiate debut.
Site: Bloomington, Ind. (Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center)
Event: CWPA Championship (Quarterfinals)
Scores: #7 Michigan 22, Saint Francis (Pa.) 2
Records: U-M (26-8), SF (11-20)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, April 29 -- vs. Harvard - CWPA Semifinals (Bloomington, Ind.), 4:30 p.m.
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The No. 7-ranked University of Michigan water polo team did not show any signs of rust after having three weeks off between games, cruising to a season high in goals in a 22-2 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) in its first game of the CWPA Championship held at Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center.
The win marked the 16th straight year that the Wolverines have opened the CWPA tournament with a victory. U-M also extended its current winning streak to 14 games as it moves on to the semifinals where the Wolverines will take on the No. 5 seed in the tournament and 20th-ranked team in the country, Harvard.
"I thought we did fine for being three weeks off," said head coach Dr. Marcelo Leonardi. "It was important to get everyone in the water, get their heart rates up and get a feel for the venue."
Leonardi used his entire team in the game as freshman Rachel Sodokoff made her collegiate debut and scored two goals. In all, 12 different players scored goals with seven players scoring two or more.
"We always tell our kids to keep working hard and be patient, that their time will come," said Leonardi. "This game gave kids a chance to play, and we were able to go deep into our bench where everyone played."
Three players netted hat tricks for Michigan. Senior captain Allison Skaggs recorded a hat trick for the sixth straight game and ninth time this year. Junior Caroline Anderson returned to the lineup for the Wolverines to pick up her fourth hat trick of the season. Junior Christina O'Beck matched her career high with three goals, earning her second career hat trick.
Michigan scored early and often, racking up six goals in the first quarter. The Wolverines got two each from Anderson, senior Danielle Johnson and sophomore Kim Johnson. With her two goals, Anderson became the first player in school history to record 100 or more points in three separate seasons.
The Wolverines did not let off the gas in the second period, adding seven more goals to build a 13-1 halftime lead. U-M got solid contributions from its bench in the quarter with five of the goals coming from reserves. Senior Kaitlyn Cozens and freshman Arija Walsh each scored her second goal of the year to aid the high-powered attack.
The offense continued to light up the scoreboard in the third quarter with five additional goals as Anderson and O'Beck finished off their hat tricks. In the fourth quarter, U-M spread the ball out and ate up shot clock. However, Sodokoff scored her first career goal on a penalty shot and then later added another with the shot clock winding down.
Michigan's pair of freshman goalkeepers split playing time with Heidi Ritner starting for her 25th win of the year. She had five saves with one goal allowed. Cameron Cordial had one save and one goal allowed.
Freshman Maddy Steere and sophomore Delaney Cleveland each tallied three assists, while senior Kimberly Graziano and freshman Skyler Pyle each posted four steals.
The semifinal matchup between the No. 1 seed Michigan and No. 5 seed Harvard will take place on Saturday (April 29) at 4:30 p.m. ET.
