Michigan Topples No. 19 Pacific in Exhibition Match

Sunday, January 19

Fresno, Calif.

9:00 AM PT

Michigan

1-1, 0-0

Pacific (Ex.)

0-0, 0-0

Pacific

Michigan

Issy Jackson (Michigan Photography)

1/19/2025 3:07:00 PM | Water Polo

Box Score PDF Boxscore

By: Sydney Miller

FRESNO, Calif. -- The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan water polo team concluded its time at Polo-Palooza in dominant fashion, defeating No. 19 Pacific 21-10 in an exhibition matchup at Fresno State Aquatics Center.

Michigan (1-1) displayed a persistent offensive effort as junior Issy Jackson spearheaded the Wolverines' attack with four goals on five shots, while Ari Karampetsou, Emma Gustafsson, and Abby Schulz each registered a hat trick. U-M's defensive efforts, led by goalkeepers Madie Ambrose and Katie Delaney, limited Pacific's (0-0) opportunities, as the pair combined for six saves.

Pacific got on the board first in the opening quarter, but the Wolverines quickly responded as Jillian Schlom struck the back of the net at the 5:51 mark. Karampetsou then converted back-to-back penalty shots to give Michigan an early 3-1 lead. Jackson continued the momentum, netting two goals within a minute to extend the U-M lead to 5-2. Pacific added two more to the scoresheet to close the quarter, but Michigan remained ahead, 5-4.

The Maize and Blue continued to produce offensively in the second quarter, tallying six goals. Maiken Pardon set up Jackson and Kasey Umlauf, as each snuck one past the Pacific defense to make it a 7-4 game. Both clubs exchanged a set of goals before freshman Harriet Dickens got her first goal as a Wolverine, adding to Michigan's 9-5 lead. The Tigers notched one more goal before Gustafsson and Jackson netted a pair of goals in the final 10 seconds, leaving the Wolverines ahead 11-6 at halftime.

Pacific came out of the half adding one goal before Michigan continued its offensive dominance, tallying three unanswered goals. The Tigers and Wolverines each totaled two additional goals, ending the third quarter with Michigan leading 16-9.

Michigan showed no signs of slowing down in the final frame. Schulz scored twice more, while Riley Chapple, Schlom, and Dickens added to the Wolverines' total. Delaney and the U-M defense allowed one goal in the final frame, securing the victory.

Michigan will be back in action on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1:30 p.m. when it takes on No. 11 Indiana in Indianapolis, Ind.