Michigan
Arizona State
Michigan Places Seventh at Barbara Kalbus Invitational
2/24/2019 1:38:00 PM | Water Polo
» U-M placed seventh at the Barbara Kalbus Invitational
» Junior Heidi Ritner had a season-high 13 saves
» Michigan has faced a top-10 team in 10 of its 15 games on the season
Site: Irvine, Calif. (Anteater Aquatic Center)
Event: Barbara Kalbus Invitational Day Three
Records: #6 Michigan (8-7), #8 Arizona State (9-6)
Next U-M Event: Sat-Sun., March 2-3 -- Wolverine Invitational (Canham Natatorium)
IRVINE, Calif. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan water polo team wrapped up the Barbara Kalbus Invitational with a 9-5 win over No. 8 Arizona State to place seventh on the weekend.
After two losses on Saturday, the Wolverines were motivated to get back to their winning ways and finish the weekend on a strong note.
The defense had a stellar effort, holding the Sun Devils to five goals. Junior goalkeeper Heidi Ritner tallied a season-high 13 saves with several key stops throughout the game. Six of her 13 saves came in the third period as U-M opened up its five-goal lead.
Sophomore Sofie Pontré drew a 5-meter penalty foul early in the first and junior Maddy Steere converted the shot for the early advantage. Later in the first, sophomore Maddy Johnston took advantage of another ASU exclusion with a 6-on-5 goal to make it 2-0.
The Wolverines maintained a two-goal lead throughout the rest of the half as both teams scored twice in the second quarter. Johnston picked up her second of the game to make it 3-1 and then junior Skyler Pyle hit from the outside for a 4-1 advantage. ASU added a goal later in the half for a 4-2 halftime U-M lead.
Michigan opened the game up with a big third quarter. The Wolverines doubled their goal total with four more goals to build an 8-3 lead. Steere scored her second and then was followed by goals from Kathy Rogers, Kim Johnson and Sofie Pontré.
Arizona State got the lead down to three goals with two straight to start the fourth quarter, but Johnson helped U-M close out the victory with her second of the game.
Three players each had two goals for the Wolverines as Johnson, Johnston and Steere led the way for Michigan in scoring. Steere also added two assists and Johnson had three drawn exclusions. Freshman Abby Andrews dished out three assists to go with two steals.
The Wolverines have faced 10 top-10 opponents in their 15 games this season, including five games against the top three teams.
Michigan fans will get their first chance to see the Wolverines in Ann Arbor this season when U-M hosts the Wolverine Invitational next weekend (March 2-3) at Canham Natatorium.
