Michigan
Whittier
Blowout Wins Cap LMU Invite
3/18/2017 12:00:00 AM | Water Polo
» Michigan scored a season-high 20 goals against Whittier (W, 20-4) before beating Pomona-Pitzer, 14-4.
» Alex Corbett (4), Christina O'Beck (3) and Laura Jimenez (3) all scored hat tricks off the bench against Whittier.
» The Wolverines are on a five-game winning streak.
Site: Los Angeles (Burns Aquatic Center)
Event: LMU Invite (Day Two)
Scores: #6 Michigan 20, Whittier 4; #6 Michigan 14, Pomona-Pitzer 4
Records: U-M (17-8), Whittier (8-10), Pomona-Pitzer (7-14)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, March 25 -- vs. Indiana (Canham Natatorium), 11 a.m.
LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- The No. 6 University of Michigan scored a combined 34 goals in two Saturday (March 18) games at the Burns Aquatic Center to finish the LMU Water Polo Invite with a four-game sweep.
Michigan took down the top two ranked teams in Division III on Saturday to finish off the weekend with four victories to give them a five-game winning streak to finish non-conference play with a 17-8 record. U-M held each of its final three opponents on the weekend to less than five goals.
Game 1: #6 Michigan 20, Whittier 4
Michigan's offense had plenty of firepower from start to finish, scoring at least four goals in every period. The Wolverines exploded out of the game with seven goals to build a commanding 7-1 lead after one quarter.
It was a big day for the Wolverines' bench as 13 of the season-high 20 goals came from reserves. Freshman Alex Corbett led the way with four goals, matching her season total prior to the game. Juniors Christina O'Beck and Laura Jimenez each had season highs with hat tricks as well.
The catalyst off the bench was sophomore Delaney Cleveland. Building on her impressive Saturday, the second-year player recorded seven points, scoring twice and assisting on five goals.
On the defensive end, freshman Skyler Pyle put up four steals to go with a goal. Freshman Cameron Cordial played the final three quarters with six saves and three goals allowed. Freshman Heidi Ritner started the game in goal and tallied five saves while allowing just one score.
It was the fifth time in three years under Dr. Marcelo Leonardi that the Wolverines have scored 20 or more goals in a game.
Game 2: #6 Michigan 14, Pomona-Pitzer 4
Pomona-Pitzer gave Michigan an early test, scoring the first two goals of the game. Michigan then went on a 9-0 run over the next 14:49, not allowing another goal until midway through the third quarter. The run was keyed by senior Danielle Johnson, who scored three of the first four goals during the run for her seventh hat trick of the season.
Nine different Wolverines scored in the game with starters Caroline Anderson, Allison Skaggs and Julia Sellers all netting two apiece.
The defense had shutouts in the second and fourth quarters, closing out each half with outstanding pressure. Johnson added a team-high four steals to her three goals. Freshman Maddy Steere also had four steals to go with a goal.
Michigan will open CWPA play next Saturday (March 25) at Canham Natatorium when they host Indiana on senior day at 11 a.m. The game will be televised by the Big Ten Network.
