Michigan
Pacific
Wolverines Stumble in Final Two Games in Irvine
2/22/2015 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
Feb. 22, 2015
• Photo Galleries: Pacific 
| UC San Diego
• Quotes | Tournament Central
Site: Irvine, Calif. (Anteater Aquatic Center)
Event: UC Irvine Invitational (Day 2)
Score: #19 Pacific 7, #14 Michigan 6; #18 UC San Diego 11, #14 Michigan 6
Records: U-M (5-8), Pacific (3-5), UCSD (7-10)
Next U-M Event: Sat-Sun., March 7-8 -- at Fluid Four (Bloomington, Ind.)
IRVINE, Calif. -- The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan water polo team dropped its final two games of the UC Irvine Invitational, narrowly losing to No. 19 Pacific, 7-6, before falling to No. 18 UC San Diego, 11-6, on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 22) at the Anteater Aquatic Center.
Freshman Caroline Anderson headlined the Wolverines' offensive efforts with four goals, including a hat trick -- her second this season -- against the Tigers. Junior Ali Thomason and freshman Elissa Arnold scored a goal in each game; it was the first goals of Arnold's collegiate career. Thomason added three assist in the Pacific contest.
Sophomore goalkeeper Emily Browning posted 15 saves on the days, earning 12 in the day's first slate against Pacific and adding three more in the first half against Pacific. Junior Julia Campbell earned two stops in the tournament finale.
The Wolverines sacrificed an early lead against Pacific in their first game of the day. Michigan scored three goals in the first quarter and led, 5-4, at halftime, before the Tigers stole the lead midway through the third frame. The teams traded goals in the fourth, and despite several late opportunities, U-M could not score the equalizer.
Michigan was doomed by a sluggish start in the tournament finale against UCSD and trailed 7-2 at the halftime intermission. The Wolverines chipped away but could not overcome the deficit. Junior Emily Sejna and sophomore Kimberly Graziano both registered their first goals of the season in the finale.
The Wolverines will head to Bloomington, Indiana, for their annual appearance at the Fluid Four in two weeks. Michigan will open play against CWPA for Hartwick at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, before facing UC Irvine and Indiana to close out the tournament at the Hoosiers' Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatics Center.
GAME SUMMARIES
| By Period | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Michigan (5-7) | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| Pacific (3-5) | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
UofP Goals: Anna Kertes 4, Taylor Adair, Ellen Tiedemann, Megan Torre
Saves: U-M 12 (Emily Browning), UofP 9 (Michelle Relton)
UCSD Goals: Laurel Kistler 4, Julia Kirkland 2, Emma Sasson 2, Lauren Finwall, Jolene Guiliana, Lani Tittle
Saves: U-M 5 (Emily Browning 3, Julia Campbell 2), UCSD 13 (Courtney Miller)
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Marcelo Leonardi
On improvements from yesterday ... "I thought we showed some improvement in the Pacific game. We were able to go out and take the lead, and for the most part, we were ahead until the third quarter. We played well, but we struggled to score in the fourth in order to tie the game."
On takeaways from a tough tournament ... "We're asking this team to move so quickly and made huge strides quickly. I have to remind myself and remind them that it's a process. We're not going to be able to solve everything in year one. Obviously, you want to peak at the right time for CWPA Championships, but there's so much still that they need to learn and figure out -- experience simulations, understanding what their true roles are. There's a variety of variables. When you have a tough weekend like this, you have to stick to your principles and values and come back home and work harder and more effectively in preparation for the next game."
On competing in the UC Irvine Invitational ... "They got to see what it is like to be part of a tournament that is the best in the country and compete with teams that you have to show up against. You can't bring your B-minus game; you have to bring your A game to have a chance to win. It's also how quickly you can rebound from a win or a loss and make adjustments for the next opponent you're going to play. I think all of these experiences are going to pay off at the end. Obviously, we want to win games now, represent Michigan and be in the top 10 -- you want all these goals now -- but at the end of the day, if we're getting better and get to the point where we can punch our tickets to NCAAs, then I'm good with that."
Communications Contact: Leah Howard (763) 763-4423
