Michigan
Grove City
Michigan Routs Grove City to Win Battle of Wolverines
3/16/2007 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- In a matchup of two teams nicknamed Wolverines, the No. 17-ranked University of Michigan women's water polo used an 11-0 first-half scoring advantage to claim a 14-3 victory over Grove City in first-day action of the Wolverine Invitational Friday night (March 16) at Canham Natatorium. Freshman Casie Kelly (Longwood, Fla./Lake Brantley) netted a career-high four markers and sophomore Julie Hyrne (Sunnyvale, Calif./Archbishop Mitty) added her team-high sixth hat trick to lead U-M to victory. Freshman goalkeeper Kimberly Gero (Mission Viejo, Calif./Mission Viejo) earned her first career start in goal and made a career-best nine saves to backstop the Maize and Blue.
Michigan opened up a 6-0 lead in the first period. Junior Michelle Keeley (Rockford, Mich./Rockford) and sophomore Carrie Frost (Saline, Mich./Saline) each tallied two goals during U-M's run. Michigan put the game out of reach in the second, reeling off five goals to build an 11-0 lead at the end of the half. Two U-M Wolverines netted a pair once again as Hyrne and Kelly each buried two shots apiece.
After Grove City finally got on the board to begin the second half, U-M closed out the third quarter with two more scores to take a 13-2 lead into the final frame. Freshman Farren Rixter (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) earned the first out of two meters with just under three minutes remaining, and Kelly completed her first career hat trick on a breakaway in the final minute.
In the fourth period, Kelly got her final score with just over two minutes left to finish Michigan's scoring. GCC added a late goal for the 14-3 final.
U-M returns to the pool tomorrow (Saturday, March 17) for two more contests on day two of the Wolverine Invitational at Canham Natatorium. Michigan plays host to Wagner at 11:10 a.m. and faces No. 11 Loyola Marymount for the nightcap at 7:20 p.m.
GAME SUMMARY
| By Periods | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Grove City | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Michigan | 6 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 14 |
Scoring
U-M Goals: Casie Kelly 4, Julie Hyrne 3, Michelle Keeley 2, Carrie Frost 2, Terri Bukofzer, Mary Chatigny, Farren Rixter. GC Goals: Caitlin Ewing, Liza McRuer, Amanda Thompson. U-M Goalkeeper: Kim Gero (9 saves). Ejections: U-M 2, GC 6.
N O T E S
Sophomore Julie Hyrne extended her streak of earning at least a point in every game with her hat trick tonight. She has now scored in five straight, netting 14 goals over that span.
Sophomore Carrie Frost extended her point streak to five games following her two-goal outburst. She has four goals and five helpers in those five contests.
In her first career start, freshman goalkeeper Kim Gero blocked a career-high nine shots to help U-M to victory.
Freshmen Terri Bukofzer and Farren Rixter, and sophomore Julie Hyrne each earned a team-high three steals. Those totals are both career highs for Bukofzer and Rixter.
Tonight's first-quarter goal total of six marks the fifth time this season the Wolverines have earned six goals in a period and the third straight game U-M has accomplished that feat. Michigan scored six goals in the fourth quarter against both UC San Diego (Feb. 25) and at Hawaii (Feb. 27).
Q U O T E S
Head Coach Matt Anderson
On tonight's game ... "It's a good way to start the weekend. We hadn't played in a couple of weeks. We are at home so the girls want to play well. Some girls got a chance to showcase what they can do and took some good shots. Kim Gero made her first career start in goal and made some nice saves. Casie Kelly was able to get the repetitions she needs because she can score the ball and she showed that tonight scoring four goals."
On being back home for the first time since January ... "Even though we enjoy it while we are in the West Coast while its cold and snowy out here, we do miss the Michigan environment and the girls miss wearing the Block 'M' in front of their families and friends. And they enjoy playing at home; you feel more comfortable, get into a routine and feel better mentally and physically. This team always seems to play very well at home."
Freshman Casie Kelly
On scoring a career- and game-high four goals ... "I was just relying on my teammates to work together to start off strong, finish our counterattacks and continue to find the open player. We had good setup passes and went out there and scored."
On playing home for the first time since January ... "It's definitely more comfortable being at home. We have our home fans; Moms and Dads are here. We are at where we train every day so it's a lot better. But being able to travel is also fun; to get into other pools and see other team's facilities."
Contact: Matt Baumer (734) 763-4423
